MISCELLANEOUS PLANTS 75 



characteristic from a cultural point of view is its 

 antipathy to anything like over watering, and it also 

 resents being over potted. Indeed plants may be kept in 

 good health for years without being repotted, and will 

 give a good annual display of white wreaths with 

 very little trouble in the way of culture, provided the 

 above-mentioned points are remembered. It is hardy 

 enough to stand frame culture all the year round, but, 

 as frames are apt to be damp in winter, the best place 

 for Francoas then is a dry shelf in the greenhouse. 

 Young plants may be raised from seeds sown in spring 

 in sandy soil and placed in an intermediate temperature. 

 Pot off into small pots when fit to handle, and again 

 into four and a half inch pots, which will be big enough 

 for the first year, a furher potting taking place in the 

 following spring. They may also be raised in a cold 

 frame by sowing seeds in the autumn as soon as they 

 ripen on the old plants, and this is the better way 

 for those who cannot give heat in spring ; indeed I 

 prefer this method in any case, providing that a light 

 and drip-proof corner can be found for the seed pan in 

 winter. Francoas thrive in a compost of loam, leaf 

 mould and sand, using the latter very freely, and potting 

 very firmly. 



Fuchsias. — The Fuchsia, when well grown, is a rather 

 gross feeder and should be given good rich soil when 

 potting, which should be done in the case of old plants 

 just when new growth begins to push out after being 

 pruned in spring, at which time no harm will be done by 

 reducing the size of the old ball of soil somewhat, so as to 

 give room for new soil without much increasing the size of 

 pot. A mixture of half loam, one-quarter each of decayed 

 cow manure and leaf mould with sufficient sand to keep 

 the whole of an open nature will suit well. Pot with 

 moderate firmness, syringe freely two or three times a 

 day, giving very little water at the roots until the plant 



