MayJ] HOT-HOUSE — of repotting^ etc. 169 



being supposed to represent in the appendages of its flower 

 the Passion of Jesus Christ/^ There are about fifty species, 

 all climbing plants, that belong to the hot-house. Many are 

 of no ordinary beauty ] a few species are odoriferous ; others 

 bear edible fruits, though not rich in flavor. P. aldta is 

 in our collections, and greatly admired ; the flowers are red, 

 blue, and white, beautifully contrasted, and flower profusely 

 in pots. P. racemosa^ red flower. P. cceruleo-racemdsa, 

 purple. P. quadnmgiddris has beautiful red and white 

 flowers. The plant is in several collections, but has seldom 

 flowered ] it requires to be planted in the ground to make it 

 flower freely, and it will also produce fruit. P. picturdta is 

 a scarce and beautiful various-colored species. P. kerme- 

 sina, bright rosy crimson, and, beyond all question, the 

 most profuse flowering species now in cultivation, and will 

 do well in a good green-house. P. Louddnu, bright crim- 

 son. P. edulis is cultivated for its fruit. There are many 

 other fine species, but these are the most esteemed sorts ; 

 and, when well established, will flower profusely from May 

 to August. They are desirable in every collection, and will 

 take only a small space to hold them, by training the vines 

 up the rafters of the hot-house. (Soil No. 13.) 



Phcenix^ Date-palm, about eight species, principally Asi- 

 atic plants. The foliage is not so attractive as many others 

 of the palm family, but it is rendered interesting by produ- 

 cing a well-known fruit called Date. P. dactylifera will do 

 very well in a common green-house. In Arabia, Upper 

 Egypt, and Barbary, it is much used in domestic economy. 

 P. paludosa has the most beautiful foliage, and the best 

 habit. The flowers are dioecious. (Soil No. 12.) 



Plumbago rosea is a pretty free-blooming plant, with 

 continued profusion of red flowers; it requires plenty of 

 heat and a good drainage. (Soil No. 11.) 



PlumeriaSj above twenty species. Plants of a slow growth, 

 robust nature, and are deciduous. The foliage is greatly 

 admired. The plants are shy to flower, but are brilliant in 

 color. P. acuminata has lanceolate, acute leaves, flowers 

 corymbose and terminal. P. tricolor has oblong, acute, 

 veiny leaves; corolla red, yellow and white. This and P. 

 ruhrd are the finest of the genus. They ought not to get 

 any water while not in a growing state. (Soil No. 11) 

 15 



