GENERAL ROUTINE OF CULTURE. 



401 



positive data being laid down for him in books, will ever cut a sorry 

 appearance compared with him who makes observation his j)rincipal 

 guide. The roots being taken out of the pot, and the mould entirely 

 displaced, the operator will readily see where he can cut to best advantage, 

 that is, to divide the roots so as to cause the fewest wounds. Every 

 portion of these roots having a crown or top uninjured, will make a future 

 plant : where the object is to multiply them to a great extent, all the old 

 root may be completely separated into small pieces, and each of these 

 pieces planted in a separate pot, regulating its size according to their 

 lengths, &c. Where the object is to cultivate for the production of fine- 

 flowering specimens, then the superfluous roots only should be removed, 

 and so far as possible the older ones should be selected for removal. A 

 separation of the roots annually, or every second year at the farthest, is 

 necessary for the perfect cultivation of this tribe. 



The diminutive-growing species, of which there are but few, will require 

 small pots ; but the majority, which are strong-growing, large-rooted plants, 

 will require very large pots to enable them to produce fine flowers. In- 

 deed, if any enterprising cultivator would erect a small house into which 

 they could be planted out into a properly prepared bed, there would be 

 no doubt of the success. A most intelligent horticulturist has proposed, 

 and we have elsewhere noticed it, that many of these plants, particularly 

 the Canmsy would flower magnificently if planted out in a border in the 

 open garden where artificial heat could be supphed to their roots, and a 

 portable frame and glass covering placed over them during their season of 

 growth. 



A rich, light, sandy, loamy soil is the most proper for them, and if 

 planted in such in large pots, or tubs, and placed in a high temperature 

 and humid atmosphere at the time that they begin to show signs of vege- 

 tation, or at the period when it would be desirable for them to do so, and 

 supplied abundantly with water during their growth, there will be no 

 difficulty in flowering them in perfection. When the flowering season is 

 past, the plants will then begin to assume a yellowish colour : when such 

 is perceived, water should be given in less quantities progressively, until 

 withered altogether. When the leaves are dead, the stems should be cut 

 down, and the plant placed in a dry, rather cool place to enjoy a season of 

 repose. The pots may be laid over on their sides, by which means water 

 will be better excluded, for the more dormant the roots remain for a few 

 weeks or months, the stronger will they break when excited again in the 

 spring, or at the season when vegetation is again to be encouraged in them. 



With these plants, as with bulbs, (as we have already observed when 



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