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TROP^OLUM POLYPHYLLUM. 
surface. By all these characteristics it is most easily distinguished ; and the 
flowers being axillary, are, from the greater closeness of the leaves, much less 
scattered. They are of a deep yellow or orange colour, with 
a rather long spur to the calyx. 
From the rapid manner in wliich the flowers of Mr. Knight's 
specimens went off* the first year, and the disinclination to 
bloom the plants have since evinced, it would seem to be a 
shy-flowering species. Still, these things are probably to be 
accounted for by the nature of the plant, and the treatment it 
had received. As it is a strong-growing species, the partial 
exposure of the tubers, as in other Tropseolums, may have 
exhausted the specimens too much, and thus deprived them 
of their natural vigour, rendering them unable to fulfil their 
regular functions. At any rate, this is 
the view we take of the matter ; and 
should advise that the tubers of the plant 
be always placed beneath the surface of 
the soil. If planted to the depth of an 
inch, the specimens will no doubt be 
improved. This is the chief feature de- 
manding notice in the culture of the 
species ; as it may otherwise be managed 
like the rest of the genus, only it does 
not need so much training, having a more 
erect mode of growth. 
It is increased by cuttings of the 
young shoots, before they have advanced to a flowering state ; and if the principal 
stem of a plant be cut down while young, a number of others will sprout up from 
the tuber, and yield an abundance of cuttings. 
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