ON SUSPENDING PLANTS IN GREENHOUSES AND STOVES. 
137 
Linaria Cymbalaria also, though common on most old walls in some districts, and 
occasionally seen hung up in cottages, is every way worthy of suspension from the 
roofs of greenhouses, where it produces a most charming effect. FucJisia radicans, 
and a kind called decumhens^ which we have ohserved in the Epsom nursery, are 
very appropriate for hanging up to a roof in pots. The prostrate Verbenas might, 
by a slight preparation, be made to look well in a like position ; as might likewise 
Lobelia Erinus and its allies, with Mimulus moscliatus, and the varieties of a 
kindred nature. 
The species of Mesemhryanthemiim^ or the more trailing of them, with Campa- 
nula rupestris, fragilis^ Mrsuta^ and a multitude of plants that resemble them in 
their growth, might, by a trifling share of attention, be rendered admirable objects 
for suspension. The treatment they would need is, to stop the shoots that are in- 
clined to ascend, encourage those which evince a tendency to curve over the edge of 
the pot, and pick off the flowers that show themselves on the upper surface, to 
throw more strength into the pendent branches. 
Another group, that only demands a little management to become some of the 
very best subjects of the suspension we propose, consists of the dwarfer and less 
straggling sorts of climbers. It is notorious that the branches of climbing species 
will hang down if not upheld by anything ; and, by a timely suppression of extra 
luxuriance, or by shortening the main shoots so as to prevent them from extending 
too far, as well as to occasion a free development of laterals, they will soon become 
all that could be desired. The Kennedyas w^ll aptly illustrate the class of which 
we are speaking. 
Even some annuals, flowered in early spring, such as Neraophila insignis and 
atomaria, Nolana atriplkifolia^ Sec, create an exceedingly good display, when sus- 
pended in pots in the greenhouse. 
But our space enjoins us to finish this paper, which we shall do by suggesting, 
that as the plants we have named, with those many others to whose appropriate- 
ness for similar ends the habits of these will serve as a guide, can with readiness 
be made to grow downward ; or rather, as their branches depend naturally, or may 
by culture be induced to do so ; it would be adding a fine and engaging feature to 
both greenhouses and stoves, to place them sparingly, and in the greatest variety, 
along the edges of stages or pits, and let their shoots hang down on either side of 
the walk, whether this be flanked with a plain wall, or the open spaces beneath the 
stages. Here we mean, as will be perceived, that they should be grown in pots ; but 
where there are pits, it would not be amiss to construct a narrow channel or gutter, 
about three inches in breadth and depth, on the top of the wall, or to widen the latter, 
so as to leave holes, from four to six inches in diameter, at certain distances along the 
curb, with the view of planting in both specimens of the description of plants herein 
set forth. We are satisfied, from what we have witnessed, that this practice would 
produce a degree of elegance to which most persons are yet complete strangers. 
VOL. IX. NO. CII. T 
