14 
NOTES ON THE TREVIRANA COCCINEA. 
With regard to colour, we may make a few observations, but so various and 
numerous have been the causes assig-ned for turning- the colour of the flowers blue, 
that it is very difficult to state the cause, when so many different recipes are given 
as all producing the same effect. 
Mr. Haythorn, late gardener to Lord Middleton, recommends plenty of room, or 
planting- them out in the borders to turn their colour ; but we can only say those 
we have had in the border a length of time have never yet shown a symptom of 
blue. Others have recommended powdered alum mixed with the soil, in proportions 
of six ounces to a bushel of soil ; this we have never tried, but have seen blue flowers 
which were stated to have been procured by these means. Very many have recom- 
mended bog earth, and certain it is that earth of this description obtained from a 
part of Wimbledon common turns the flowers blue. Sweet recommends planting 
out in peat borders, and states the longer they remain, the deeper blue will be 
the colour of the flowers. Iron filings have also been strongly recommended as certain 
to change their colour. A florist residing at Hammersmith was famed several 
years for growing blue Hydrangeas^ which he accounted for in the following manner: 
he had a large quantity of soil brought in for general purposes, and happening- to 
use it for his Hydrangeas, to his great surprise they became blue, which brought 
him a better price than the pink ones, consequently he reserved the whole of the 
soil solely for Hydrangeas, for which purpose it lasted several years ; but there is an 
end to all things, the heap of soil wasted to nothing-, which was his secret, and the 
following year as he had no more blue Hydrangeas his fame for them went also. ; 
We can only state our having seen beautiful blue flowers in loam, as well as 
peat, and should say the presence of some mineral existing in the soil is the main 
cause ; most probably oxide of iron in an unusual degree. 
The second season the plant should be cut down, and three shoots only left to 
grow. The plants must receive similar treatment to that recommended for the young- 
ones, and the consequence will be that heads will be obtained nearly or quite as 
large as they produce the first season ; three heads will generally be found sufficient. 
NOTES ON THE TREVIRANA COCCINEA AND 
MIMULUS CARDINALIS. 
Trevikana COCCINEA. CyTilla pulchella of some, and Achimeyies coccinea 
of Persoon, is an elegant little plant well known under the first two names, and 
belongs to a tribe of plants, many of which, as Mimuhis, Chelone, Collinsia, Szc.y 
present to us some of the g-reatest attractions of the flower-garden. 
But our o])ject now is to treat on the cultivation of the first-named plant, of 
