248 LOBELIA IGNEA. 
the benefit of our readers. The plant to which we refer was kept through the last 
winter in a stove of a temperature rather below the usual par ; and, probably from 
being too strongly stimulated, the main or central flowering shoot which it produced 
in the early spring, gradually withered, till it eventually proved a complete abor- 
tion. About the time this became manifest, a quantity of lateral shoots were 
observed to be issuing from all the lower and yet living parts of the stem, wliich 
soon acquired strength and vigour. The plant was then potted into a larger pot, 
and finally placed in the open air, where it flowered most profusely from every 
shoot in the months of August and September, forming a perfect and beautifully- 
shaped specimen, four feet high, and full three feet in diameter. 
The circumstance in the above narration to which we wish now to invite atten- 
tion, is the result which followed the destruction of the leading shoot. Had this 
continued growing, it would doubtless have attained a much greater altitude, but 
the lateral shoots (if put forth at all) must have been weak and stunted ; while the 
plant would have been far less handsome with regard to form, and the size and 
number of its flowers, than it actually became. Cultivators should not lose sight 
of this fact in the management both of this and other species of Lobelia^ as it demon- 
strates the importance of removing artificially the central shoot at an early period 
of its existence. 
In other respects, L. ignea has hitherto been treated as more tender than the 
rest of its allies, and allowed a place in the stove during winter. This does not, 
however, appear at all requisite ; and we presume it would not be injured in a frame 
or greenhouse, near the glass, if thoroughly protected from frost, and very cautiously 
supplied with water. A damp atmosphere must be especially avoided. 
Propagation is performed, to almost any desired extent, by carefully detaching 
the young suckers, which are most liberally emitted from old roots. They will 
occasionally be found to have formed roots ; but if otherwise, these may readily 
be developed by potting the suckers in a light loamy soil, plunging them in a 
trifling bottom heat, and shading them till they have struck. Cuttings, taken from 
those shoots which do not flower, or from which the blossoms are timely plucked, 
will root as freely as suckers, but they do not form such handsome plants. Seeds 
are likewise liberally produced, and may be sown in a hotbed frame as soon as they 
are duly dried. 
For the derivation of the generic name, the reader may be referred to vol. ii. p. 
52. We have adopted the specific designation as being that by which it is gene- 
rally known, and also pretty accurately expressive of the colour of its blossoms. 
