CHORIZEMA OVATA. 155 
great benefit to the plants, being very comfortable and cool to their roots in hot 
weather, and less liable to get dry. There is also a practice of laying a little sandy 
gravel for the pots to stand on ; this, when watered a little, retains a degree of 
moisture, and prevents drought, and consequently the sides of the pots cannot dry ; 
it moreover feeds the leaves, and strengthens the whole plant ; but when this is 
practised it is necessary to observe the strictest caution in watering. The advantages 
of keeping the floor damp, and employing other materials for that purpose, is only 
available in summer, and should not, therefore, be practised in the winter, when the 
plants are not growing. In the winter it is not the growth of the plants that is the 
cultivator's study, it is rather how he shall best keep them alive until the return of 
the growing season ; and of all to be thought of on this head perhaps the first and 
most important is the preservation of their roots ; to ensure these, v^^atch hourly 
against too much moisture arising from over watering, &c. ; take care that the drip 
does not fall into any of the pots, and in damp weather, or where moisture begins to 
appear, and to remain long about the pots, on the stages or on the bottom of the 
sashes, &c., a very little fire may be applied with advantage in the evening, and in 
the morning after, if the weather suits, admit a little fresh air for an hour, or 
according to the state of the weather, carefully and effectually observing to keep 
out at all times cold winds and frost. 
Potting is in general looked upon as of minor importance, but the truth is, a badly 
potted plant, however healthy when shifted, never thrives. It is instructive to turn 
out the balls of several recently potted plants, and observe where the soil is loose 
or in holes, how it affects their growth ; where the soil is compact, and properly put 
about the roots, the plant will grow freely and root well ; but, on the other hand, if 
the soil is put in loose, or left in holes, the plant never properly thrives, but lan- 
guishes, and ultimately dies if allowed to remain in that state ; it is therefore 
necessary to place the soil compactly and properly about the roots when potting, 
never forgetting to effectually drain every pot as before directed. The propagation 
of these plants is a difficulty which every gardener acknowledges and experiences, 
but even this becomes comparatively easy when steadily and attentively followed up. 
The few following hints will be useful The cuttings should be taken off while the 
wood is young, and carefully prepared ; take off the bottom leaves with a sharp knife, 
and make a clear cut just through the joint : the cutting pot should be drained and 
filled to within two inches of the top, with the soil before spoken of, on the top of 
this put a layer of quite clean white sand, into which plant the cuttings, making a 
little hole for their reception with a small prepared stick ; when the pot is full, give 
them a steady watering with a fine rose ; after which place a clean glass over them. 
In this state they may be removed to the propagating house, where the temperature 
