REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF A FEW ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. ] ] ;} 
parent of invention : the want of convenience to pursue the beaten track often 
leads to the discovery of superior ways of culture. But let us not be misconstrued : 
we would not depreciate the advantages which may be commanded by well- 
arranged apparatus and ample conveniences, nor undervalue a special order of 
management for different plants ; nevertheless, with all these, cultivation is still a 
mere experiment without indefatigable attention, and some ingenuity. 
Many people are deterred from growing the Clerodendrums through the 
common belief that they will only succeed in a stove. Fine plants, however, may 
be had with nothing but a greenhouse and a common pit or frame. Undoubtedly 
they may be grown larger, and are more easily preserved through the winter in a 
stove ; but, in small places, dwarf specimens, with a good cluster of blossoms, are 
usually more desirable than large ones. 
As they are plants which send out their flowers from the top of the current 
season's shoots, it is essential to the production of fine trusses to give every encou- 
ragement to the perfect development of stem and leaves early in spring. With 
this view, the wood of the previous season should be cut away to within two or 
three buds of the base ; this will induce the eyes left to push with greater vigour. 
They may be left dry for a week or two after pruning ; they are then to be 
planted in smaller-sized pots, and set in a pit or frame heated either with fer- 
menting materials, or by a tank, observing to have the pots plunged nearly to the 
rim. Here they may remain until the flowers are formed, shifting them into 
larger pots as soon as they get to grow rapidly. 
A strong fibrous loam, in a rough state, kept open by adding a portion of leaf- 
mould, constitutes an appropriate soil. Well- rotted cow- dung may be added, if 
large specimens are desired ; but the exuberance of the plant will be more under 
control if, in lieu of it, liquid manure be applied frequently after the plant has 
begun to grow freely. Where a large quantity of rotten dung is incorporated 
with the soil, and the roots have once penetrated it, should it stimulate to 
excessive vigour, there is no means of avoiding it without repotting the plant. 
Growth might be checked by placing in a lower temperature, or in a drier atmo- 
sphere ; but it is more than probable that the one would induce a sickly aspect, 
and the other would be likely to encourage insects, especially as the plants are at 
all times very liable to their attacks. Liquid manure admits of being applied or 
withheld at pleasure, as the exigencies of the plants suggest. Besides, smaller 
pots will suffice ; because the same bulk of loam, fed from time to time with liquid 
manure, will afford as much nutriment, or nearly so, as if the dung itself were 
incorporated with it. Soil that contains much dung is, moreover, sooner 
exhausted ; and by the time the plants are in bloom, it will be so far spent as to 
be scarcely able to maintain the leaves in a healthy deep green colour. It must 
be remembered, however, that the liquid should be clear, such as usually drains to 
the tank of a farm-yard, and not the thick muddy substance obtained by mixing 
dung and water together, and stirring up, as many do, before it is used. 
VOL. XII. NO. CXXXVII. Q 
