REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF A FEW ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. HI 
From amongst many other plants of this kind, thus undeservedly depreciated, 
we select the Templetonia glauca and T. retusa,—- two spring flowering shrubs, 
rarely cultivated in a satisfactory manner. In most places these plants have an 
unhealthy and stunted aspect, seldom advancing into vigorous growth, and their 
lower parts becoming divested of foliage ; whilst if flowers are produced at all, 
their numbers are too scanty to contribute much show. Now and then, however, 
we meet with specimens exactly the converse in appearance, which fully redeem 
the claim of the plants to be regarded as shrubs of a showy character. 
Examination will generally show that the specimens which appear so un- 
promising and sickly, are deficient of roots. Instead, therefore, of allowing such a 
one to continue in the greenhouse in the hope of improvement, it is better at once 
to shake away the old soil from the roots, cut off all decayed extremities, and then 
return it to a smaller pot, observing to pay special regard to drainage, and the 
quality of the earth. It may then be placed in a close frame ; and when it begins 
to grow, a portion of the old branches should be removed to assist the fresh 
growths in acquiring strength. Occasional syringing will be useful, and perhaps 
shading for an hour or two in the middle of sunny days. "When the roots have 
filled the pots, and the shoots are pushing well, the plant should be transferred to 
a larger pot, unless the season is too far advanced to mature the wood before 
winter. They may be taken back to the greenhouse to winter, and the following 
spring they will flower abundantly. 
The necessity of careful potting is clearly shown in these plants. Once any- 
thing obstructs the circulation of fluids through the ball, the roots begin to suffer 
Hence, although it is proper to elevate slightly the collar of the plant, yet it is as 
injurious to raise it so preposterously as many do. As a rule of general applica- 
bility, the highest portion of soil should be beneath the level of the rim of the pot, 
so that at every watering the whole may be submersed. Otherwise all the roots 
in the central portion of the pot will be left dry and useless. In the choice of 
soil, many err in employing finely dressed peat. A good friable loam, with an 
equal quantity of coarse peat, answers far better. With care in potting, and in 
watering afterwards, a healthy state may be maintained constantly in a greens- 
house : a little heat in spring, however, effects considerable improvement in their 
appearance. 
But whilst they make very handsome bushes when kept in pots, they acquire 
a far more excellent character when grown in a conservatory border ; and from 
their bushiness, and the total absence of anything like a tendency to grow feebly 
or straggling, they are highly appropriate subjects for the situation. If through 
maltreatment they have lost anything of the needed density and foliage in the 
lower parts, there is usually a number of latent buds in the heart of the plants 
that are easily started into growth by merely bending over the main shoots to 
prevent them from receiving all the sap supplied from the roots. 
Though by no means rapid growing plants, good specimens may be formed 
