DECEMBER. 



183 



spring, place them in the warmest part of the stove, 

 near the glass. For flowering during the summer, 

 cuttings must be struck in the autumn ; by this 

 means successional bloom is obtained. 



Soil. — Leaf-mould, loam, and peat, with a por- 

 tion of rough sand. 



SALVIA POLYSTACHYA. 

 Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 



Labiatje. 



Native of Mexico, 1822. — Propagation, cuttings. 



This is a much neglected species. Its fine blue 

 spikes, which are produced in abundance, form a 

 pleasing contrast at this season of the year, and the 

 little care required to keep it in a flowering state 

 may probably be a cause of its neglect. No- 

 thing more is necessary for its preservation than 

 to protect it from the frost. Strike cuttings 

 and pot them in strong loam. Grow them in this 

 and they will bloom for several successive years 

 without repotting. Give a watering of manure 

 water about twice during the summer months, to 

 enrich the soil in the pot. Cut the plants down 

 when they are placed out of the greenhouse in 

 May. 



Water,— A moderate supply all the year. 



