134 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



appreciation of its real merit forget the fame of an hour 

 that it enjoyed as an integer in the now historical bedding 

 system. 



The plant before us is the real old " Crystal Palace " 

 cuphea, the best of the bedding plants of that particular 

 style and tone. When employed in the splendid displays of 

 bedding at Sydenham it was found to be amenable to very 

 simple treatment, and we shall condense for the good of 

 our readers the system of culture adopted there by Mr. 

 Eyles and Mr. Gordon, as communicated by them to us pro 

 bono publico. The stock was raised from cuttings in June 

 and July, and the earlier the better, generally speaking. 

 When struck so late as September a fair bloom may be 

 secured the following year, but the earlier struck cuttings 

 make the best bedders, because in the spring they may be 

 cut back so as to form very strong bushy plants for the 

 summer display. The stock raised for bedding may be very 

 well wintered in boxes, and if there is not enough of them, 

 cuttings may be struck in heat in February and March, 

 and will make useful plants for the beds, though lean as 

 compared with well-wintered plants from autumn cuttings. 

 Any good soil will suit the cuphea when bedded out, and a 

 dry sunny position may be selected where there is ample 

 choice. But if there is no choice, the happy conclusion 

 may be laid to heart that it will do veiy well almost 

 anywhere. 



The virtues of the plant are not yet all told. Oh, dear 

 no. It is a real gem for winter flowers, and whoever would 

 keep a greenhouse or conservatory gay through all the 

 dead season would do well to grow a few plants of this 

 particular species. Strike the cuttings in May, and in 

 the same month prune rather severely any old plants you 



