168 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



earlier in the spring. When done flowering, place 

 the plants under the greenhouse stage : they will 

 require no farther care until you wish them to 

 commence growing ; the water they will receive 

 when the plants on the stage are watered, will be 

 sufficient for them while they remain in the green- 

 house. 



POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA. 



EuPHORBIACEiE. 



Native of Mexico. — Propagation, cuttings and 



eyes. 



A fine showy plant, having its brilliant scarlet 

 bracts as its chief characteristic. It requires to 

 be cut down in March to two or more eyes, ac- 

 cording to the strength of the stock. Shake off all 

 the soil from the roots, and repot in pots propor- 

 tionate to the size of the plant ; shift as it fills its 

 pot with roots until it is in No. 16, if it is of 

 vigorous growth. When potted, place it in the 

 bark bed of the flower-house, or in a cucumber 

 frame, until June, when it maybe removed into the 

 greenhouse. Having a number of plants, some of 

 them may be taken into the flower-house in Sep- 

 tember, others in October and November ; those 

 in the flower-house will blossom in August, and 

 the others in succession until January. 



Soil. — Three parts good yellow loam, one part 

 dung, and one rough sand. 



