148 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



which is easily afforded it by placing it in the 

 coldest part of the flower-house, and only supplying 

 it sparingly with water during the winter months. 

 Young plants flower the most freely ; strike cut- 

 tings every spring and throw the old plants away. 

 The time for this plant commencing to bloom is in 

 June^ but, to retard it until this season, do not 

 force it into free growth before May. 



Water. — It requires much of this element when 

 in a vigorous growing state. 



From MR. SMITHERS. 



MUSA COCCINEA. THE PLANTAIN TREE. 



Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 



MlJSACE.E. 



Native of China, 1792. — Propagation, offsets. 



This charming genus is of singular beauty ; its 

 leaves alone form a fine contrast with its flowers, 

 which are amongst the most magnificent we are 

 acquainted with. In its treatment, it requires to 

 be grown quickly and to be kept constantly shifted. 

 Having a young healthy plant in the spring, shift 

 it into the next size pot, and continue the same 

 process until you have it in No. 6. The time of 

 its flowering will depend upon the quickness of its 

 growth, but if it be a fine strong sucker it will 

 blossom in about eighteen months. Give plenty of 

 water during the whole summer. 



Soil. — Equal parts dung and loam, with a little 



