202 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



constantly moist till the roots have spread into the new soil, when this too must have 

 abundance of water. 



An ordinary greenhouse or conservatory temperature suits lapagerias, and they 

 ought to be shaded from strong sunshine. During the late spring and early summer 

 months syringe them daily, ceasing when the flowers are expanding. The growths 

 should not be topped but trained thinly, allow them to branch naturally. Also take 



particular care of the strong young shoots 

 which spring asparagus-like from the 

 underground stems. Slugs are with diffi- 

 culty kept from these. Protect with old 

 lamp chimneys or other contrivances till the 

 stems become too firm for the teeth of the 

 molluscs. These strong young shoots grow 

 rapidly, and spread to a considerable dis- 

 tance in one season. They are the means 

 by which the life of the plant is pro- 

 longed. 



Thrips, and in a lesser degree green fly, 

 are insect pests that spoil many lapagerias. 

 They are induced by a too dry atmosphere, 

 which is also inimical to the plants. The 

 pests can easily he kept under by nicotine 

 fumes applied occasionally. Brown scale 

 and mealy bug sometimes gain the upper 

 Fig. 96. Leschenaumia biloba major. hand, but may be prevented by timely 



sponging with soapy water. It is while 

 they are comparatively small that the plants should be under constant surveillance, in 

 laying the foundation for thrifty growth in after years. 



LESOHENATJLTIA. — Those who understand the culture of these New Holland plants 

 are invariably rewarded with a lovely display of bloom distinct in its character from 

 anything else available in the late spring and early summer months. L. biloba major is 

 considered the most beautiful blue-flowered shrub in cultivation. The plant rarely 

 exceeds a height of one foot, and is of a branching floriferous habit of growth — quite 

 a gem in fact. L. formosa (syn. L. Baxteri) also attains a height of one foot, and 



