2$o 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



houses and conservatories. S. galegifolia, syn. S. Osborni (Fig. Ill), attains a height of 

 6 feet, branches freely, and produces drooping racemes of pea-shaped flowers, deep red 

 in colour, from May to September. The white form of this S. g. albifiora is the most 

 popular, and is a chastely beautiful flower. S. coronillsefolia has light purplish pink 

 flowers, while S. Greyana, pink, is a favourite with some cultivators. All are propagated 

 by seeds or cuttings. Prior to sowing in March, soak the seeds in warm water till they 

 have softened somewhat; germination will take place in a moist heat of 60° to 65°. The 

 seedlings should be placed singly in small pots and peaty soil, a gentle heat giving them 

 a good start. Top to cause them to branch, and, seeing that swainsonias root strongl}-, 

 there ought to be no undue delay in shifting them into larger pots. A compost of three 

 parts loam to one part each of peat and leaf soil with sand, suits the plants. Cuttings of 

 healthy young shoots, about 3 inches long, may be inserted in pots of sandy peat soil, and 

 rooted under a bell glass or hand-light in a cool shady part of a greenhouse during the 

 summer. Treat the rooted cuttings similarly to seedlings, arranging all where they 

 can be freely syringed daily in hot weather, this keeping red spider in check. Winter 

 the plants in a temperature of 40 to 45°. Old plants may be lightly pruned early 

 in the spring, and soon afterwards repotted. During the following summer, in addition 

 to receiving abundance of water at the roots, and frequent syringings, weak liquid 

 manure may be applied with advantage. For covering walls or pillars plant in borders. 



Tacsonia. — See Conservatory Climbers. 



Tecoma. — See Conservatory Climbers. 



thea. — Tea Plant. This small genus of greenhouse evergreen shrubs is more inter- 

 esting -than handsome. At one time it was thought the Assam, Bohea and Chinese 

 (T. viridis) were all distinct species, but they arc now considered identical, varying 

 under different treatment. The type grows from 2 feet to G feet in height, has dark 

 green leaves, and produces white flowers throughout the cooler part of the year. S. 

 viridis variegata is a prettily variegated form. Propagation is effected in various ways. 

 Seed sown in sandy peat in March, and placed in a moist heat of 70° to 80°, germinates 

 readily. Cuttings of firm young shoots, inserted in well-drained pots of sandy peat, in a 

 cool greenhouse during August, emit roots slowly but surely. If covered with glass, this 

 must be dried every morning, or damping may take place. Layering the shoots may 

 be done in September, and grafts will unite with young seedling stocks of camellias ; 

 the plants grow well in a mixture of equal parts of sandy peat and brown fibrous loam. 

 They may also be planted in conservatories in common with camellias. Plants in pots 



