94 ORNAMENTAL "WINTER AND SPRING FLOWERING PLANTS. 



bottom heat, and occasionally rich water, the plants should be 

 induced to grow with extraordinary vigour. Last year it pro- 

 duced shoots several feet in length, and as it throws out a suc- 

 cession of flowers almost at every axil, they have several times 

 through the winter formed perfect wreaths. It is still very 

 beautiful. Francisceasare among the few hard-wooded stove plants 

 which are of any value in winter. They are fragrant and beautiful. 



And as the flowers arc produced on the young shoots, potting, 

 and any pruning necessary for keeping the plants in shape, 

 should be done before they are excited into growth. After the 

 flowering is over, the plants should be kept in a warm tempera- 

 ture till their growth is completed, and then as the ripening 

 process goes on, they should be gradually hardened off till they 

 will bear full exposure during the greater part of autumn ; but 

 as it is well to prevent their roots being saturated while their 

 tops are dormant, they should be placed in a very airy green- 

 house, where the side lights are open night and day. The 

 Richardia (Calla) ^Ethiopica is one of the most useful plants in 

 this section on account, of the classic beauty of its leaf combined 

 with the purity of its flowers. After their season of growth is 

 over, and the foliage is perfectly ripened, they require a short 

 season of rest, from which portions of the stock should be dis- 

 rooted and potted as they show signs of growth, so as to secure 

 a successional supply without having recourse to forcing, which 

 renders the leaf-stalks too weak to support themselves, and thus 

 deprives the plants of a great part of their beauty ; the pots used 

 need not be large ; I have at this time handsome plants in 7 

 and 8-inch pots, which enable me to make use of them in 

 filling small ornamental vases. The soil should consist of strong 

 rich brown or yellow loam, mixed with road grit and broken 

 crocks. In shaking out the old plants all the buds should be 

 rubbed off, except the central one which is to form the plant. 

 After potting, they should be placed in a cool vinery or similar 

 situation, where they will come quietly on ; and as soon as they 

 begin to grow they should be supplied abundantly with water. 



Gesnera Cooperi is a plant easily excited into growth at any 

 season, and is therefore particularly useful. If ripened off after 

 the previous growth by the middle or end of August, it may 

 be repotted and excited in the beginning of October. It re- 

 quires little more than rich soil mixed with charred refuse, and 

 a moderate bottom heat. The Gloxinia is generally considered 

 a summer flowering plant, but those which were ripened very 

 early should be started along with Gesnera Cooperii, and simi- 

 larly treated. Young plants propagated from leaves in June, 

 and grown briskly on, flower very nicely in 5-inch pots in 

 February. Epiphyllum Russellianum is a later flowering species 



