ON MANETTIA BTCOLOR AND CORDIFOLIA. 
85 
to put forth fresh lateral shoots all over the plants, they may be removed to flower 
in the greenhouse by the middle of May. By this method they will bloom 
copiously for the whole summer. 
But as a more generally useful system, we should prefer confining the roots 
within smaller pots, to promote a flowering state at an earlier date with moderate- 
sized plants. By aiming to have the pots filled with roots before the first mid- 
summer, they will soon after disclose blossoms freely ; and they may be continued 
in vigorous health by the occasional application of liquid manure. A weak 
solution of guano supplied from time to time, after the plants have pushed 
an abundance of roots, greatly improves the colour of their leaves, and enables 
them to bloom more copiously by keeping up a healthy, but slow and steady state 
of advancement. If, instead of this, fresh soil and more pot-room should be given, 
they will be pushed into an exuberant growing condition that will stop the 
development of flowers till it has again spent its force. And, besides being more 
useful for a small greenhouse, moderate-sized plants, when covered with flowers, 
might be removed to the drawing-room, if they can be set in a situation where 
they may enjoy sufficient light. 
The reason why M. cordifolia so seldom succeeds planted out as a greenhouse 
climber may most commonly be traced to some error or carelessness in the 
management of its roots. They are either allowed too much room to spread, or 
are placed in some dark cold spot, perhaps under the shelves or stages, or they 
receive more water than accords with their constitution under the lower tempera- 
ture they are subjected to. A slate or brick compartment about twelve or fourteen 
inches square, and about the same depth, is quite ample extent for the largest 
plant ; and even this space must be well provided with porous substances to aid 
the diffusion of water. Further, in winter water must be most abstemiously 
supplied ; indeed, scarcely any will be required then. It is necessary, likewise, 
gradually to abate the quantity furnished during the latter part of summer . 
otherwise coarse luxuriant shoots distended with water are generally formed, such 
as will neither flower, nor stand uninjured through a dark cloudy winter. 
Whenever these plants, and others of similar nature, are continued in a 
greenhouse throughout the winter, whether in pots or planted out, they should 
always be as fully exposed to light as circumstances will permit, and a circulation 
of the air promoted on every favourable occasion. Those in pots had better be set 
near the glass, and in a station by themselves, to prevent any accidental over- 
supply of water. Damp and a deficiency of light are, in fact, the only serious 
influences to counteract. If a dry air and a light situation can be commanded, 
the ordinary low temperature of a greenhouse will have little effect on those plants 
to which some attention to maturing the summer's growth has been devoted. 
The most favourable course of summer culture runs much with that of the 
vine, as far as regards the changes beneficial in the state of the atmosphere. 
Indeed no place agrees better with them than a vinery commenced about the end 
