260 THE FLORIST AND 



To cultivate the Aphelandra successfully, cuttings may be struck at any 

 time from the beginning of the year till midsummer. The nearer the latter 

 date the dwarfer will the plants be at the time of flowering. Cuttings root 

 very readily in a sandy soil and strong, moist heat. When rooted, they 

 may be potted into small pots until well established, when they should be 

 at once put into the pots intended to flower them ; a twelve-inch pot would 

 raise a very good specimen. The soil should be half-rotted turfy loam, 

 with about a fourth or fifth part of well decayed horsedung : the pots, of 

 course, to be well drained. 



In the early struck plants, the tops of the young shoots may be kept 

 pinched as they grow, till midsummer, when they must all be suffered to 

 run up, if wished to flower the following winter. It is a plant which de- 

 lights in a high, moist temperature, with abundance of water, a little, but 

 not too much shade and frequent syringings. The mealy bug and various 

 kinds of Aphides, are great lovers of this plant and constant attention, the 

 best nostrum yet to keep down insects, is needed to oppose them. 



A Philadelphia Gardener. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE PELARGONIUM. 



No greenhouse plant has excited such a spirit of emulation among florists 

 as the Pelargonium, or what is popularly termed "the Geranium." That it 

 is worthy of all the care and attention bestowed on it, few who recollect the 

 contrast between those raised some thirty-five years ago and their progeny 

 at the present time, will question. Unlike the Tulip, the Carnation,, the 

 Pansy, and similar florist flowers, our present subject cannot boast of such 

 a multitude of raisers ; chiefly from the fact that to be successful, needs 

 space and time, and is more the occupation of the " Amateur" of means 

 than the humble mechanic who has so prominently figured in the raising of 

 "gems" of the above flowers. 



But, if numbers have been wanting, enthusiasm in those engaged have 

 not, for it has been our good fortune to live with one of her " devotees," 

 from whose establishment many of those emanating from Mr. Gains, of 

 Battersea, have been raised. The peculiar pleasure exhibited by this gen- 

 tleman, almost hourly during the flowering of the seedlings, examining the 

 bursting buds, and in some instances, curiosity being at such a pitch as not 

 to wait for the natural opening of the petals, but partially perform it him- 

 self, is still vividly impressed on our memory. 



