HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 3 



CESTRUM AURANTIACUM. 



This is one of the most valuable winter flowering plants we have, coming 

 into bloom at a season when flowers are scarce, and lasting in perfection for 

 a considerable time if judiciously managed. But a great many people are 

 under the impression that the Oestrum is a hot house plant, and treat it ac- 

 cordingly ; which is an error, it being truly a green house plant, and if treat- 

 ed as such will give far more satisfaction, at least in flower three times as 

 long, and retain its lower leaves much better, which adds greatly to the 

 beauty of the plant. When in flower it should be kept in as dry an atmos- 

 phere as possible, as the flowers are very impatient of moisture ; when any 

 of the flowers show signs of decay they should be taken off at once, or they 

 will spoil those next to them, and ultimately the whole truss is destroyed, 

 thus shortening the flowering season considerably. This is one of those plants 

 which looks well when elevated on the stage a little above its compan- 

 ions ; I do not know of any position which suits it better than when set 

 up on the stage of a green house, with its pendulous trusses of orange 

 coloured flowers looking down on a choice collection of Liliputian Chrysan- 

 themums. 



There are many fine collections of green house plants which do not con- 

 tain this winter flowering beauty ; the want of it may be attributed in many 

 cases to the owners believing that such a plant would not flourish in a green 

 house, but I can say that they should lose no time in adding it to their col- 

 lection, should it be ever so choice, and they will not be disappointed. 



It is of very easy culture, growing freely in a composition of turfy loam, 

 well rotted cow manure and sand well mixed together; it strikes root very 

 easily from cuttings of either old or young wood ; but this is not often ne- 

 cessary, after a few plants at the first start. In this respect it differs great- 

 ly from other plants which have to be raised yearly from cuttings, for the 

 older the plant gets the better specimen it makes, and every shoot will have 

 a trus3 of flowers ; at least that is the way with mine. When growing from 

 a cutting it is best to give plenty of pot room in the early stage of its 

 growth; first shift it into a six inch pot and as soon as the roots touch the 

 side of the pot, shift at once into a twelve inch, which is large enough for 

 the first season and capable of growing a very nice plant if well attended to. 

 In summer plunge in some open airy situation where it will have the full rays 

 of the sun, at the same time taking care that the roots be well supplied with 

 water, — using the syringe freely night and morning during dry weather to 

 keep up a fresh and luxuriant growth. Attention must be paid to topping 

 the young shoots as they grow, to make them branch out and likewise to 

 keep the plant in shape, as there is no use of props, for every branch sup- 



