244 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENIXG. 



overhauling. Cut away all old ripened leaves not 

 needed, so as to make room for succeeding young 

 ones. At the same time, should a free growth be 

 made, and abundant haulm, with free fruiting, an 

 occasional length of aged haulm, which has done 

 lis duty, may be cut away altogether. This done, 

 add a surfacing of fresh soil to the whole inter- 

 nal sm-face of the bed, an operation which it is well 

 to do. Tying up Lettuces and Endive, drawing 

 Radishes immediately they are fit for use, covering 

 over the heads of Cauliflowers forming their bloom- 

 heads, drawing them in good time for use, picking 

 Peas immediately they are ready, sweeping and 

 rolling walks, &c., all require periodical attention. 



GEEEISr-HOUSE PLANTS. 



By William Hugh Gower. 



Imantophyllum.— A genus of Amaryllids of 

 great beauty, now merged into Clivia. They are 

 robust-growing plants, with stout lorate leaves, which 

 are arranged in a two-ranked fashion (distichous), 

 and sheath at the base ; colour deep green. 



These plants should be potted in rich loam, and 

 during the growing season an abundant supply of 

 water is necessary to theu' well-being ; but when 

 growth is complete it should be partially withheld. 

 The name is sometimes written Imatophyllum and 

 also Himantophyllum. 



I. cyrtanthiflorum. — A very fine plant, with erect 

 scapes, longer than the leaves, many-flowered; 

 flowers tubular, drooping, reddish- orange in colour. 

 Various seasons. South Africa. 



I. Gardenii. — This is a winter -blooming variety, 

 bearing large umbels of tubular flowers, which are 

 drooping, much curved, and rich orange-red in 

 colour. Natal. 



I. miniatum. — Flower-scape erect, longer than the 

 intense deep green leaves ; umbels many-flowered ; 

 flowers broadly campanulate, pale red and orange. 



There are several varieties of this species, of which 

 we may enumerate miniaium superbum, and Martha 

 Reimers, the latter a magnificent form ; but all are 

 good. Spring and early summer. Natal. 



Knightia. — A genus of Froteacece, which con- 

 tains but one species, which is a tall thin tree, 

 attaining a height of from eighty to a hundred feet. 

 Its wood is esteemed for its colour, which is red and 

 brown, curiously mottled, and which takes a good 

 polish, and is extensively used in cabinet-work. It 

 requires the same treatment under cultivation as 

 Banhsia and JDryandra. 



K. excelsa. — " The New Zealand Honeysuckle." 

 Leaves linear-oblong, entire, upwards of six inches 

 in length, and more than one inch in breadth, and 

 bluntly toothed at the edges ; the texture is hard 

 and harsh, dark green above, somewhat ferruginous 

 beneath ; fiowers in dense axillary racemes, velvety- 

 brown. In a young state this plant is extremely 

 ornamental. Northern Island of New Zealand. 



Lapageria. — This genus contains only one 

 species, and with the genus Philesia comprises the 

 order Philesiacece (now merged into Ziliacea). Lapa- 

 geria is a climbing plant, and perhaps one of the 

 most beautiful ever introduced to cultivation. 



In some parts of England it has proved hardy, 

 but although it is a lover of a \erj cool and moist 

 situation, there are few places that will suit it 

 without protection. The soil should be used very 

 rough, and consist of equal parts of loam and peat. 

 It is nearly related to the Smilax family, and, like 

 the members of that genus, must have the most open 

 drainage it is possible to provide. 



L. rosea. — This beautiful scandent plant succeeds 

 admirably on a north wall in a cool green-house, 

 but if gro\sTi in a pot it should be trained on either 

 a large balloon or umbrella-shaped trellis ; the leaves 

 are hard, alternate, cordate in shape, and dark 

 shining green above, paler beneath ; flowers large, 

 produced from the axils of the leaves, thick and 

 fleshy in textui'e, bell-shaped, with a spreading 

 mouth, rich rosy-crimson in colour, spangled with 

 white on the inside. It blooms during summer and 

 autimin, several months in succession, and lasts a 

 long time in full beauty. Chili. 



L. rosea, var. alha. — A variety of the preceding, 

 from which it differs in nothing but the colour of 

 its flowers, and these are pure waxy- white. It is a 

 most exquisite plant. Chili. 



Leschenaultia. — A small but very ornamental 

 genus belonging to the order Goodeniacecc ; they are 

 soft in texture, with closely-set, dark green, Heath- 

 like leaves, and brilliant flowers ; they also much 

 resemble the Heaths in the treatment they require 

 in order to produce good specimens ; there is, how- 

 ever, a little difference necessary in their manage- 

 ment, for although they enjoy plenty of free air and 

 light, full exposure to the sun in the open air does 

 not suit them. During the winter Leschenaultias 

 must be kept near the glass so as to prevent the 

 shoots from drawing, all superabundant moisture 

 must be guarded against, and if the weather proves 

 dull and heavy, an occasional dusting with sulphur 

 will tend to prevent mildew from fixing upon the 

 foliage. 



The soil should be very sandy peat, with just 



