GLORIOSA SUPERBA, 



301 



the middle or end of ^lay, when it may be almost dispensed with. It 

 may also be considerably economised, and the plants thereby benefited, by 

 shutting up the stoves early in the afternoon, so as to inclose as large a 

 portion of solar heat within them as possible : this is a matter sadly 

 overlooked by cultivators in general. 



In regard to insects, we have already observed, that by following up 

 the system of steaming no bugs wiU exist, and as for scale, they wiU in 

 most cases share a similar fate. The red spider and thrips can only exist 

 in a dry atmosphere ; if they make their appearance in any hot-house, it 

 is a clear proof that water has not been supplied in sufficient quantity. 

 There are some cases when water for particular reasons may be withheld 

 from'certain plants or parts of a stove : when such is the case, a hot plate 

 of iron held under the part at a distance of two or three feet, and a 

 little flower of brimstone sprinkled gently upon it, will soon destroy 

 them. 



CULTURE OF CERTAIN FIXE-FLOWERIXG STOVE PLANTS THAT REQUIRE 

 A MODE OF TREATMENT DIFFERENT FROM THE GENERALITY OF 

 TROPICAL PLANTS, SlC, 



GLORIOSA SUPERBA. 



This splendid plant, as the name fully indicates, is of great beauty and 

 singularity. It is, nevertheless, but rarely met with in collections, and 

 much more rarely is it seen in flower, although few plants are more 

 easily cultivated and flowered. The following directions by the late 

 J. Sweet, of the Bristol nurseries, have been followed by us for several 

 years, and with complete success: — "Its failure," he justly observes, 

 " arises chiefly from the defective method in which the roots are preserved 

 during their inaction, and from the want of proper treatment when they 

 first vegetate in the spring. Injured at these periods, the plants generally 

 continue through the summer weak and unpromising, throwing up only a 

 few small stems, which do not flower in sufficient strength or beauty." 

 The following is the essence of his judicious practice. In autumn^ when 

 the stems have died down and left the root, which is a considerable 

 sized tuber, perfectly ripe, it is removed in the pot and placed upon the 

 top of the hot-house flue, at a safe distance from the fire, the intention 

 being merely to keep the mould round the tuber perfectly dry ; one of the 

 shelves on the back wall of the stove will answer as well. Here it is 

 secured from the water which is used in sp'inging the house, by invert- 

 ing another pot over it. If the tubers be small, several may be kept in 



