THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



891 



and at the end of March or beginning of April they are again 

 moved into larger pots, and in the middle of May they are a 

 third time shifted ; the pots to be used for this last shifting 

 are twelves. As soon as the plants are well rooted, after the 

 last removal, they are carried into a peach-house or green- 

 house, in which they continue till they flower, and are hardy 

 enough to bear the open air. When they are preparing to 

 throw up their flowering stems, and during their growth, it is 

 necessary that they be kept very moist, which is effected by 

 putting pans under the pots, and keeping them constantly 

 filled with water. The plants so managed begin to flower early 

 in July, and the spikes continue to grow and are covered with 

 flowers through the autumn. The compost used in the pots 

 is formed of equal parts of brown or yellow loam, and of leaf 

 or bog-mould ; to which is added sand, equal to one-fourth of 

 the previous composition, the whole being well incorporated." 

 A plant cultivated in the above manner was exhibited to the 

 society, which attracted universal notice ; and another, which 

 was grown in the Caen Wood garden, measured nearly six 

 inches in circumference at the base of the stem, and the height 

 of the centre spike of flowers was five feet and a half. 



The hardy Lobelias naturally throw up but one spike of 

 flowers, but if this spike be stopped while young, a number 

 will issue from the root ; and although they seldom attain so 

 great a height, are much more elegant in their appearance, 

 and seem more vigorous, and produce a greater number of 

 flowers. Lobelias, in the flower borders, are often consider- 

 ably checked in their growth in dry seasons: whether they be 

 cultivated in pots or planted out, it is material that they be 

 abundantly supplied with water. 



