228 THE FLORIST AND 



they may be stopped once with advantage, and as the growth proceeds, kept 

 from crowding each other. By this time their foliage is getting good and 

 they may be transferred to the stove, previously staking them out very thinly, 

 as they are sure to fill up the entire space. These, with proper treatment ? 

 will flower from the middle to the end of summer one mass of their showy 

 orange and scarlet flowers, which with the velvety black-green leaves, mot- 

 tledand reticulated with pale whitish blue, in distinct broad bands, branch- 

 ing outwards from the centre, render it one of the most superb objects con- 

 ceivable. All that is necessary to get a succession, is, to strip off enough of 

 the small shoots plentifully produced, every few weeks, placing them at once 

 in the pots they are to flower in, and a little thicker than recommended 

 above. This operation may be repeated till the time comes round for insert- 

 ing the tubers again. As the old plants begin to look sickly they should 

 be gradually dried off, and kept during winter either in the pots, or in dry 

 sand, and where the thermometer does not fall below 50°. The soil should 

 be very porous, and one-fourth of the pot filled with drainage, beginning 

 with large pieces of crocks, ending with small, on which place some rough 

 materials to keep it perfect. The following is a good proportion, fibry peat 

 and decayed leaves each one-third, the remainder white sand, pulverized 

 charcoal and potsherds. 



Edgar Sanders, 

 G-ardener to John F. Bathbone, Esq., 

 Albany Aug. 'list 1854. 



HOYA BELLA. 



To have this charming little Hoya in perfection, it requires plenty of warmth 

 and moisture while growing, good drainage, and a free open soil. The lat- 

 ter should consist of equal parts good fibrous peat, leaf-soil and sand, well 

 mixed together, to which may be added a tolerable portion of clear pots- 

 herds, broken small, and a few pieces of charcoal. The pots used should be 

 drained from 1 to 2 inches in depth, according to their size. The peat 

 should be broken up with the hand, but not sifted. 



Presuming that young plants are obtained in spring, they should be 

 placed in a stove or pit, where a temperature of from 65 to 70 degrees is 

 kept up. Under such circumstances they will grow freely, and will soon 

 require shifting into larger pots. Shade slightly during bright sunshine, and 

 water when necessary; but with a sufficiently moist atmosphere, and a 





