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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Indies, and is a small sub-shrub attaining a height of 2 feet ; flowers lavender colour, 

 freely produced in June. Cuttings of moderately firm shoots, 2 to 3 inches long, inserted 

 in light sandy soil in a propagating frame, or under a bell-glass, in a temperature of 75°, 

 root freely in the spring. The plants should be arranged in a moist part of the stove 

 during the early part of the year, and in a pit or frame from June to September. Old 

 plants may be re-potted in March or April, in a compost of equal parts loam and leaf soil, 

 with a little sand. 



geaptophyllum. — G. liortense, syn. G. Nortoni, known as the Caricature Plant, 

 is of garden origin, and worthy of culture for the beauty of its leaves. It is propagated 

 in March or April by cuttings of firm young shoots, 2 to 3 inches long, taken with a 

 heel and inserted in all sand, under a bell-glass, in a temperature of 65° to 75°. Pot in 

 equal parts peat and loam, with a free admixture of sand ; grow the plants in a moist 

 stove, prune into shape in February, and re-pot soon afterwards. 



Gymnostachyum. — See Fittonia. 



HiEMANTHUS. — These showy bulbous-rooted plants deserve attention at the hands 

 of owners of plant stoves. They are not difficult to grow, and when in good condition 

 never fail to attract admiration when in flower. H. cinnabarinus, West Africa, has 

 from twenty to forty red flowers, in an umbel, borne on a scape 1 foot long ; April. 

 H. hirsutus, Transvaal Eepublic, has pure white flowers, in dense heads 4 inches in 

 diameter. H. insignis, Natal ; the flowers of this warm greenhouse species are bright 

 orange scarlet ; July. H. Kalbreyeri, Guinea, is one of the best of the group ; the 

 flowers are bright crimson, borne in a head 8 inches in diameter. H. Lindeni (Fig. 

 156), from the Congo region, is less known, but distinct and beautiful, as the rosy red 

 flowers are less crowded than in most other species. H. Katherinse, deep red 3 and H. 

 puniceus, orange scarlet, are also worthy of inclusion in a select list. The plants are 

 increased by off-sets removed when potting- time, placing these singly in small pots, and 

 keeping them in close quarters till well-established. They should be grown as rapidly 

 as possible, only strong, well-rooted bulbs flowering satisfactorily. The soil recom- 

 mended is two parts of sandy loam, one part peat, with a little well-decayed manure 

 and sand. • Strong bulbs should not be re-potted oftener than every third season, the 

 early-flowering species from August to November, and the late-flowering species in 

 March or April. Sink the bulbs half their depth in the soil. During the resting 

 period very little water should be given, but after growth has well commenced, supply 

 it copiously, with liquid manure for plants in a root-bound state. Each species after 



