218 JACARANDA TOMENTOSA. 
Our embellishment represents a cluster of flowers produced on a small plant at 
Mr. Knight's exotic nursery, in September, 1842. 
It appears somewhat strange that an impression should exist that this, and 
a host of other really splendid plants nearly allied to it, although occasionally 
exhibiting their magnificent character with seeming freedom, are difficult to 
manage, and that they should be seldom seen investing our stoves and greenhouses 
with their flowery treasures. The mere idea of difficulty itself should be incentive 
sufficient to promote their more general cultivation, with the view of overcoming 
it ; and in the present improved state of floriculture we cannot doubt but, like the 
Heath tribe, they will be found to grow well and blossom profusely, and with 
certainty. 
Flowering specimens of the present kind may be had in a dwarf state, by 
propagating from the upper shoots of an aged tree, and submitting the young 
plants to a moderate bottom-heat in a low house or pit, during the spring months ; 
supplying them at the same time with a moist atmosphere, sufficient pot-room, 
and nutritive soil, to support growth of medium strength. Specimens that have 
once flowered require to be severely pruned before they are again incited to grow. 
In the specific name we have an allusion to the downy appearance of the foliage 
and young growths. 
