38 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



years. A mixture of two parts of fibrous loam to one part of leaf soil, adding a few 

 crushed bones and some river sand, is suitable for the plants, which must be arranged 

 in a light position, and be kept well supplied with water. The stock may be increased 

 by offsets, treating them similarly to the more advanced seedlings. When large enough 



to flower, gradually withhold 

 water, keeping the plants quite 

 dry through the winter. When 

 the bulbs commence growing, or 

 show their flower spikes, well 

 moisten the soil and apply liquid 

 manure, continuing this treatment 

 till the time again comes round 

 for drying the bulbs. Ee-pot 

 about every third year in Febru- 

 ary. Three bulbs may be placed 

 in each 5-inch pot, sinking them 

 two-thirds of their depth in the 

 soil. 



vinca. — Periwinkle. This 

 genus comprises a stove species, 

 V. rosea ; there are also white 

 forms — alba and ocellata. It is a 

 sub-shrub, easily raised from seed 

 and increased by cuttings in brisk 

 heat in the spring. Top the young 

 plants to make them bushy, and 

 shift into larger pots as required, 

 using good loamy soil. Best the 

 plants by giving little water in the 

 winter, prune them in February, 

 reduce the old soil and give fresh 

 in smaller pots, subsequently shifting into larger for flowering. Water the plants care- 

 fully yet sufficiently during the summer, and weak liquid manure acts beneficially 

 when the pots are crowded with roots. 



Fiff. 15. Ueceochaeis Clibrani. 



