692 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



green flower sticks ; it also makes a capital basket-plant to sus- 

 pend from the roof. Next to H, carnosa this species is probably 

 the most popular of the genus. 



H. Paxtonii is considered by some to be a variety of 

 H. bella, and requires the same treatment. It has longer and 

 more pointed leaves, umbels less compact, and the habit is a 

 little more straggling. 



Ipomoea. — The stove climbers of this large genus are of extra- 

 ordinary beauty, and cannot be too strongly recommended. 

 Although the individual blossoms are of short duration, they 

 are rapidly succeeded by others, which keep up a continuous 

 display for a long season. Cuttings of the young shoots taken 

 off with a heel of the old wood will strike root in heat under 

 a bell-glass. Soil : loam, with a little well-decayed manure and 

 sand. 



The gem of the genus is probably /. HorsfallicE, an ever- 

 green twiner, native of the East Indies ; it has handsome 

 digitate leaves and funnel-shaped flowers in terminal bunches 

 of the most brilliant crimson. It thrives best when whip-grafted 

 on a free-rooting sort, such as /. insig?iis. I. Briggsii resembles 

 /. Horsfallice^ and is said to be of freer growth, producing" 

 in profusion clusters of blossoms of a rich magenta-crimson 

 late in autumn. /. Learii^ native of Buenos Ayres, is another 

 very handsome free-growing species, requiring plenty of space 

 for full development ; it produces in succession numerous large 

 flowers of the most brilliant azure-blue. 



Jasminum. — The stove Jasmines are highly prized for their 

 sweet-scented pure white flowers, which are freely produced, and 

 their climbing nature renders them useful plants for training 

 up columns and trellis-work. They are propagated by cuttings 

 of rather firm short-jointed shoots, which when rooted will grow 

 away freely in a compost of loam, leaf-mould, and silver-sand,, 

 in well-drained pots, and even better if planted out in a 

 prepared bed or border. Pruning should be done after the 

 flowering season, and in such a manner as to effect an even 

 balance. During the season of repose, which should always be 

 encouraged, the soil may be kept rather dry, but when in 

 full growth a liberal supply of moisture at the roots is neces- 

 sary, with frequent syringings overhead, except when in. 

 blossom. 



J. gracillimum^ a native of Borneo, is, without doubt, one of 

 the best plants ever introduced, and should be in every 

 collection ; it is of neat, slender, and graceful habit, with 

 terminal panicles of large sweet-scented white flowers produced 

 in great profusion from October to January, and more or less 

 throughout the year; it should not be over-potted, the flowers 

 being much more freely produced when the roots are somewhat 



