134 
ON THE CULTURE OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 
IN THE PRINCIPAL NURSERIES AND PRIVATE GARDENS IN THE 
VICINITY OF LONDON. 
On training CUanthus Puniceus against a wall. 
This splendid plant, which is now becoming so g-enerally and deservedly 
admired, and is cultivated by almost all persons who possess a collection of plants, 
is found by Messrs. RoUison, of Tooting, to succeed admirably well when trained 
against an open wall, with a slight protection during the winter ; as a remarkably 
fine plant in their possession has stood out for two successive winters with no 
other protection than a slight covering of mats ; and, though the young and 
tender shoots were slightly injured, yet the plant is now growing very luxuriantly, 
and flowering in the greatest possible perfection ; and any person who is at all ac- 
quainted with the striking beauty of this plant, when in flower, will readily admit that 
it must make a most charming feature in a collection of ornamental climbing plants. 
A longer acquaintance with the habits of this beautiful plant, has convinced 
cultivators that it will not thrive well (as was once thought) in peat soil ; but, on 
the contrary, requires a good rich loam with a portion of well rotted manure incor- 
porated, as peat soil is best adapted for plants of a hard woody habit and slow 
growth ; while such as grow very luxuriantly, and are rather of a succulent habit 
(like the CUanthus) require a stronger and more nutritious soil, and a great 
supply of water during the summer season. 
0?i shading Orchidecs. — At this season of the year it is, or should be, a 
point of first importance in the cultivation of Orchide^e, to attend properly to 
shading the plants from the direct and powerful rays of the sun ; and, as most per- 
sons use canvass for this purpose, we will just lay before our readers a system of 
Messrs. Loddiges, Hackney, which appears to us to be one of the most simple 
and efficient methods of shading we have ever seen ; it is that of twisting straw 
bands to as great a length as may be required, but so slightly as'to leave a quantity 
of loose straws hanging from them ; these are then placed on the roof of the Orchi- 
dea3-house, at about the distance of a foot from each other, and kept on at all times 
during the summer season ; thus preventing the trouble arising from the putting 
on and taking off of canvass ; they also so effectually shade the house, that it is 
never found necessary to give any air to it, neither do they in cloudy weather 
obstruct the light too much ; but, on the contrary, when artificial heat is employed, 
they assist materially in retaining it. It may, perhaps, be well to add, that this 
system seems to ansvver perfectly well with Messrs. Loddiges, and as it is thus 
proved to be efficient, we think no one will dispute its cheapness or simplicity. 
Although, perhaps, this system may be best suited for Orchidese, it may likewise 
be extended to any other collection of plants that require shading, as, indeed, 
Messrs. Loddiges have some of their stove plants treated in a similar way, as well 
as their succulents, and there is very little doubt but that Camellias that are kept 
in a house with a south aspect would be very much benefited by it. 
