HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 77 



using rich, light, porous soil; keep shifting as the roots fill the pot, never let 

 them get matted, which will check the growth, which should not happen un- 

 til the requisite height is reached ; the more luxuriant the growth the less 

 trouble there is in pinching off the flowers, which ought to be done for the 

 first four months at least, in order to let the plant get large and well estab- 

 lished. When once well started, insert a stake of the desired height near 

 the middle of the pot, and as the leader grows tie it to this, and pinch out 

 the points of the lateral shoots until the height wanted is attained, when they 

 may all be allowed to grow. If too thick, which is often the case when 

 stopped so much, cut out the weakest and most irregular. 



All that is necessary now in the way of training, is to regulate the side 

 branches in order to obtain a nice pyramidal specimen. No more sticks are 

 to be used than the one in the centre — the main stem will support all its 

 branches. In the early stage of its growth it should have the temperature 

 of a hot house, and a light, airy position. Give a free supply of water to the 

 soil, syringing over head morning and evening. They may be turned out of 

 doors about the first of June, in some shady situation for awhile until it gets 

 hardened, so that it will stand the sun ; after which it should be set in an open 

 situation where it will have the full influence of light and air. With the pot 

 plunged to the brim, less water will be required. Very soon after its remo- 

 val its beautiful little pendant flowers will begin to show themselves in great 

 profusion, making a very striking ornament either for the greenhouse or 

 flower bed ; but if allowed to remain outside until the end of September, or 

 as long as there is no danger of frost, it will enliven the greenhouse through- 

 out the dreary months of winter with its profusion of blossoms. Care must 

 be taken that the roots be not allowed to get dry, or all the inside leaves will 

 drop off, which spoils the look of the plant. 



When a large specimen is wanted a large pot is required; but in a 10-inch 

 pot a plant may easily be grown five feet high and three feet in diameter at 

 the base. As a bedding-out plant in the summer it has few equals as regards 

 flowering properties, flowering in profusion from the day it is planted until 

 cut down by frost — of which it will not bear much. It does better in an ex- 

 posed situation than in a shady, and in a light rich soil than on a stiff clayey 

 one. 



A short time before planting it i3 best to remove the sash for that purpose 

 from the greenhouse into a frame where the sash can be taken off by degrees, 

 so as to harden them before setting out. Etna. 



