154 THE FLORIST AND 



Cuttings selected of rather firm bits of the young wood root freely if 

 planted in sandy peat, afforded a brisk bottom heat, and covered with a bell- 

 glass, to prevent their being injured by excessive evaporation. When fairly 

 rooted they must be potted singly, in small pots, placing them in gentle bot- 

 tom heat, in a warm moist situation, and shading them from bright sunshine 

 till well established in their pots. But beginners will probably prefer pro- 

 curing young plants from the nursery to propagating for themselves, and 

 this cannot be done at a more favorable season of the year than the present. 

 Supposing plants to be obtained in this way, on receiving them examine the 

 state of the roots, clearing away all sour or unkind soil, and repotting in 

 convenient sized pots, according to the state of the roots, &c. Use good, 

 strong fibry peat, carefully broken up, and intermixed with a liberal quan- 

 tity of sharp silver sand, to ensure perfect drainage. Place the plants in a 

 close, moist, warm temperature, shading them from bright sunshine, and giv- 

 ing water at the roots very carefully until they become well established, but 

 syringe lightly morning and evening, shutting up the house early in the 

 afternoon — and if convenient to afford the plants a gentle bottom-heat du- 

 ring the growing season, this will greatly assist in securing a vigorous root 

 action and rapid growth. If all goes on well the roots will soon be found to 

 have filled the pots, and shifting should be attended to before the growth is 

 checked, regulating the size of the shift by the time that the plants will 

 have for making growth before winter. Use the same compost as recom- 

 mended above, with the addition of a small portion of sandy turfy loam. It 

 is not desirable to force this plant into a low bushy habit, at least I consider 

 that its large racemes of flowers are seen to more advantage when some- 

 what elevated, and this is more conveniently done by allowing the plant to 

 assume rather an erect habit, than by keeping it tied out in the form of a 

 dwarf bush, and having to keep the pot on a pedestal while the plant is in 

 bloom. If the plant is kept in vigorous health it will throw out side shoots 

 freely with very little attention to stopping or training. Every care must 

 be exercised to preserve the foliage in perfect health, as upon this the beauty 

 of the specimen largely depends. The matured leaves are liable to be dis- 

 figured by black thrips, and green-fly seems to have an especial liking for 

 the buds and young leaves, and will soon do irreparable damage, unless de- 

 stroyed by the prompt application of tobacco smoke. The plants must be 

 prepared for winter by gradually lessening the amount of moisture in the 

 atmosphere, affording a freer circulation of air, &c, to ripen the young 

 w 7 ood. In winter they should be placed in a house where the night tempe- 

 rature may average about 55°, giving water sparingly to the soil, and taking 



