GENERAL CULTURE OF STOVE PLANTS. 
55 
nor should any slender-growing plants be placed in too large pots : as a general rule, 
a slender-growing plant will thrive better somewhat cramped at the roots, than 
when over-potted. Strong growing plants require more room for their roots, and 
seldom suffer from the size of the pots, provided other circumstances agree. 
19. During the hot months of summer the plants must be well supplied with 
water, and if they are syringed over head, not less than three times a week, in hot, 
dry weather, and once a week at all seasons of the year (except the months of 
November, December, and January), it will keep them clean, and greatly conduce 
to their health. It is also necessary that the air of the house should be kept 
constantly more or less humid, this may be accomplished by throwing water on the 
walks and flues of the house ; of course this must be done with caution, and but 
seldom in the depth of winter, but at all other times it may be done every day. 
Propagation. — The methods of propagation are by cuttings, layers, suckers, seeds, 
and division of the roots. 
20. Cuttings. — No period can be definitely fixed for planting the cuttings of the 
different genera ; this must always be left to the judgment of the cultivator. Some 
plants propagate freely by cuttings of the young and tender wood, as Melastoma, or 
Barleria, Astrapcea, Inga, Szc. ; others, when the wood begins to assume a brownish 
colour, or is half ripened, as Ixoim, Bauhinia, Passijiora, Ruellia, &c. ; whilst others 
will only strike freely when the wood is perfectly ripe, as Grevillea, Blakea, 
Cheirostemon^ Achania, &c., but, as a general rule, the season lasts from January 
to August. 
21. All hard-wooded kinds make roots best in clear sand, but soft- wooded kinds 
require to be planted in light soil. After properly draining the pots, fill them with 
sand or soil according to the kinds intended to be propagated. On no account mix 
soft-wooded and hard-wooded kinds together in the same pot. 
22. If a hot-bed frame can be appropriated to the purpose of striking the cuttings, 
so much the better ; but if not, place them in a damp, shady part of the stove : in 
either place they require to be sheltered from the rays of the sun, until they have 
struck root. 
23. Car^ is requisite in removing the leaves from the lower ends of the cuttings, 
that the bark be in no wise injured; never take off more leaves than are necessary 
for the insertion of the cutting, nor mutilate or shorten the remaining ones. 
24. After the cuttings are put in, a gentle sprinkling of water may be given 
through a fine rose, to settle the soil about them ; after which they may be placed 
in the situations where they are to strike, and be closely covered by glasses from 
the air, until they have begun to grow, when they may receive a little air. Water 
must be administered with caution. 
25. When struck, pot them off into small pots filled with light sandy loam and 
leaf mould, replace them in the frame until they have begun to grow, then gradually 
expose them to a more gentle temperature, and finally remove them to the stove and 
treat them as old plants. 
26. Layers. — Many sorts also strike well by layers, as Comhretum, Sic, &c., this 
is performed when the wood is half ripe ; make an incision on the upper surface of 
