METHOD OF TREATING LUCULIA GRATISSIMA, 
233 
portionate humidity, is far preferable to a house during the first stages of growth. 
A rather liberal supply of water will be needful, and a gentle circulation of air. 
As the season advances towards midsummer, more and more air must be given, and 
the sun must never be allowed to shine fully upon them, as it is injurious to the 
young and tender foliage. After the middle of July a pit is no longer necessary, 
and the plants will be benefited by being removed to the shade of a north wall, 
where they can also be sheltered from strong winds. Here they may be permitted 
to remain till the beginning of September, by which time every branch will be 
crowned with a tuft of flower- buds, and they will need no other heat to develop 
them than what is afforded by a close pit. Indeed, it is a very pernicious practice 
to give them much heat, for the flowers will be larger, and stronger, and better 
coloured, as well as able to last for a longer period, if slowly and steadily brought 
on till they expand ; and, moreover, the leaves will have time to gain a fuller 
green. 
It will be seen, then, by the foregoing observations, that the ordinary method 
of growing them in a stove is far from being the most appropriate. The plants are 
by that method rendered so tender, that they will frequently scarcely endure the 
temperature of the greenhouse whilst in flowera Another evil is, that whilst the 
flowers are inferior, the length of the stems is increased to a weakening degree. 
The resources of the plants are thus drawn upon in an increased ratio to furnish 
nourishment to that, which, so far from being an improvement to the appearance 
of the specimens, is decidedly a detraction from their beauty, and at the same time 
an injury to their constitution. 
The main reason for giving them a situation, when they are removed from the 
pit, where they may be continually shaded from the sun, is because a full exposure 
robs the leaves of their bright green colour. They will, nevertheless, in spite of 
this precaution, though to a less extent, assume a reddish tinge, but after they are 
returned to the pit, they will have time to recover their green hue before the 
flowers open. 
While these remarks, however, exhibit the essential elements of good culture, 
in reference to small specimens, the Luculia must not be considered unsusceptible of 
being grown to a large size, in proper conditions. Like the Hydrangea^ it 
will become an ugly object when allowed to grow more than two feet high, if it be 
not frequently pruned. But, when pruning is regularly practised, it can be made 
to reach the height of five or six feet, and yet retain an ornamental character* 
Indeed, a good specimen of this height is a most magnificent thing while the 
flowers are open. 
To cultivate the Luculia to any size, it wants planting in the bed or border of 
a conservatory, where it will be sufliciently shaded to prevent the sun beating 
fiercely upon its leaves, and yet not altogether deprived of a large amount of 
indirect light. It should also be put where a, current of cold air can never play 
round it, and then, provided it be planted in generous soil, well drained, and yet 
VOL. XI. NO. CXXX. H H 
