66 HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF A FEW ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 
when they have once become diseased and unhealthful through the want of this or ~~ 
other proper appliances, they are commonly a long time in regaining a flourishing 
aspect. Indeed, it generally proves more satisfactory in the end, at once to set 
about rearing young specimens, than to attempt the renovation of an old mis- 
managed one ; and it is likewise of equal moment to select the most promising 
shoots for cuttings. 
Beyond this we have little to add, except that a moist atmosphere is indis- 
pensable to enable it to grow in a luxuriant way, and produce fine clusters 
of blossoms. With this and the foregoing facts in mind, then, we cannot but 
conclude that an orchidaceous house is the most suitable place to grow it in ; and 
as there is something remarkable, and dissimilar from ordinary stove-plants, in its 
general figure, it is not an unworthy companion for the JRscliynanthus and some of 
the Columnea species, which are commonly associated with Orchidacese. We are 
fully persuaded that a greenhouse is unsuited to the Juanidloa, and where the 
acme of cultural excellence is striven for, it will be necessary to furnish a greater 
degree of heat and of moisture. 
From this plant, which can only be had in perfection by those who have all the 
advantages of warm stoves, we pass to one of still more recent introduction, but 
already equally popular, both on account of its excellent appearance, and its 
ability to flourish in a lower temperature. The plant to which we refer is one of 
the most showy which New Zealand has furnished to our gardens — -the Veronua 
speciosa, imported a year or two ago by Messrs. Knight and Perry, of Chelsea. 
The vast facilities for propagation possessed by this plant, both by seed and 
by cuttings, has already permitted it an extensive circulation, which we have 
no doubt will be greatly increased, when its value as an ornamental species 
becomes more widely known. It has naturally a bushy and vigorous character, 
and large and somewhat succulent leaves of a fine glossy green. The beautiful 
spikes of flower are usually much superior in magnitude to any of the published 
figures of it, and are occasionally branched at the base. In addition to this, the 
species may be had in bloom for seven or eight months in the year, and it 
is highly probable that it may ultimately be found to flower at all seasons. 
Those who saw the beautiful specimen exhibited at the Chiswick Gardens last 
summer, by Mr. Ingram, of the Royal Gardens, Windsor, will be able to form a 
pretty correct idea of its capabilities. 
The plant just alluded to had been grown in an intermediate house ; but 
although, by the application of a little extra heat, the period of flowering is 
capable of being considerably hastened, a high temperature is not by any means 
essential to the general welfare or plenteous blooming of the species. A common 
frame is quite sufficient protection for it in winter, and we have even had it 
exposed to two or three degrees of frost for several successive days without any 
visible injury, although the plant was in a free growing state at the time. In the 
summer season it is quite at home in the open air, and grows luxuriantly in the 
borders. 
