62 
ON DISBUDDING FLOWERING PLANTS. 
however, the principle is often carried farther than is requisite for any other plant. 
One stem alone, from which all the buds are taken but a single strong one, is 
considered most^likely to produce a first-rate show-specimen. Still, for ordinary 
greenhouse or pleasure-ground objects, a large and healthy plant may be allowed to 
have many stems, and to each of these two buds may be left for flower. 
No one who has observed the effect of this method on the Hydrangea, will, we 
are sure, be disposed to question its extremely beneficial influence ; since the 
contrast between a specimen judiciously thus treated, and one on which all the 
buds are suffered to open unchecked, is so strikingly marked as to create the illusion 
which frequently occurs among the less observant regarding richly-cultivated plants, 
that the two specimens were distinct varieties, or different species. And the sole 
discrimination requisite in effecting the process is to adapt the treatment to the 
strength of the plant, leaving merely as many main shoots and buds on them, as 
the specimen is calculated to perfect thoroughly. 
If, therefore, the plan spoken of be so plainly beneficial in respect to Hy- 
drangeas, it follows that it must be alike useful to every plant partaking of their 
nature ; and, also, in some modified form, to all exotics which, naturally or 
otherwise, are inclined to bear a profusion of lateral shoots. 
There is, then, a very handsome plant now in general cultivation, which 
approximates so nearly to the Hydrangea in habit, that it cannot but be improved 
by being similarly disbudded ; and this is the Fuchsia fulgens. Being deciduous, 
and the points of its branches withering every year, while the blossoms are borne 
in large clusters from the extremities of the annual shoots, it has mostly to be 
pruned down to a low bush each winter ; in consequence of which, it sends out an 
abundance of laterals from the lower part of all the branches. If these laterals are 
permitted to take their own course, many of them will be too weakly to form 
flowers for themselves, and will, therefore, greatly enfeeble those which are 
capable of flowering ; while they accomplish no possible good purpose. Should 
they, again, be pruned off after they have been fully developed, the operation will be 
almost useless, as they will then have done all the injury they can do. Hence, the 
only proper way of avoiding their bad effects, is to rub off the superfluous buds 
when they are first exhibited, as is done with Hydrangeas ; and to leave a certain 
number of the best buds, such as will most nearly accord with the strength of 
the plant. 
When this direction is followed, the plants will not be in the least degree 
unnecessarily weakened, and each specimen will have six, eight, or more fine 
stout stems, with proportionately ample racemes of flowers, instead of a quantity 
of weak infertile branches, and scanty imperfect floral developments. In short, 
the aspect of the plant in regard to its flowers, will be as much changed, as is that 
of the Hydrangea. 
Nor is the method adapted for application to F. fulgens alone. All those 
beautiful hybrids, of which that species is one of the parents, and which in any 
