46 FLORICULTURAR NOTICES. 
which are the result of close observation of the habits of the present species, will, 
perhaps, prove useful, and certainly cannot be considered irrelevant. 
The rapidity and luxuriance with which the stems of this plant grow during 
the summer and autumn, and their consequent succulence and immaturity at the 
commencement of winter, render them not only exceedingly liable to decay, but 
preclude, if they survive, the possibility of their producing vigorous lateral shoots 
or fine flowers in the succeeding year. Indeed, were it possible to induce them 
to ripen their wood sufficiently, it is very questionable whether the old stems 
would flower so beautifully as those young ones which might easily be obtained 
immediately from the roots. 
Under these circumstances, and with a full consideration of the nature of the 
plant, we are disposed to believe, that if its treatment were assimilated to that of 
the dahlia, it might be rendered available as an ornament to the flower-garden, 
and cultivated to the highest perfection with the least possible trouble. We do 
not intend that every particular in the management of the dahlia should be 
unhesitatingly adopted in the culture of this plant, but only the most prominent 
and essential articles, and these with a slight degree of modification. The pro- 
priety of this will be seen by comparing the character of the two plants. The 
Fuchsia now under discussion has tuberous roots, is dormant during the winter, 
commences growing in the spring, by throwing up a number of young shoots from 
its roots, (provided its stems of the previous year's growth have been removed,) 
and would not be injured, but rather benefited, by having its stem or stems cut 
down in the latter part of the autumn. These are well known to be precisely 
the habits of the dahlia. 
To elucidate our suggestion, and define the extent to which we would practise 
it, a brief outline of the treatment we propose to bestow on this species will be 
necessary. Commencing with the vernal season, we would remove the plants 
(which had been taken from the earth in the previous autumn) from their winter 
repository about the month of March, and place them in pots or beds of soil in 
a greenhouse or frame. They should be fully exposed to light, and even to the 
open air in fine weather, and duly protected with mats when frost occurs, but not 
subjected to artificial heat. In this situation, with occasional gentle waterings, 
they will soon emit a number of stems from the roots, some of which may be 
taken off for propagation, and one or more left to grow, as may be desired. 
With the ordinary attention afforded to growing plants, they will be ready for 
transferring to the open border at the usual period ; and, whether planted singly 
or collectively, there can be no doubt they would make a most brilliant display 
in the flower-garden. Premising, from the luxuriant character of the plant, that 
a perfect freedom for the roots is the most favourable to its superior development, 
and considering that it would thus obtain this desirable privilege, accompanied 
likewise by the beneficial influence of an unconfined and pure atmosphere and 
unmitigated solar agency, it appears impossible to arrive at just conclusions rela- 
