256 
MANAGEMENT OF A FEW SPECIES OF BIGNONIA AND TECOMA. 
way to the choicest shruhs, and alike relieved from all external encumbrance or 
shade, the plants will never merit cultivation, and had better be discarded. 
Nor must it be assumeji, where beds of earth, of greater or lesser extent, are 
provided for these species, instead of pots, that the principles we have propounded 
are at all susceptible of modification. The shallowness of the soil is still to be 
ensured ; and this can easily be done by forming a thick layer of rough drainage 
substances beneath it. Through such a layer, if aptly prepared, the roots will never 
be able to insinuate themselves ; and, thus foiled, will be rather attracted yet 
nearer to the surface. Sufficient elevation, again, to catch the rays of the sun and 
receive the healthful influence of the atmosphere, must be carefully secured ; even 
though it may require a peculiar and somewhat inconvenient process to gain it. 
If the plants are to be trained from the sides of the house, towards its centre, 
boxes of wood, slate, brick, or stone, may be constructed for each. They should 
invariably be as high as the stage, if there be one, and have the space below the 
soil left as open as possible. When the specimens are to be planted in the middle 
of the house, similar measures may be taken ; or where there is a central pit, each 
plant can be assigned a compartment therein. Where the pit is entirely filled 
with plants that are divested of pots, it wWl be advisable to set ofi, with 
thin slate, stone, or tiles, that portion of earth which each is to occupy, that the 
stronger kinds may not encroach on their weaker neighbours. The bottom of the 
pit, under the bed of earth, should also be perfectly hollow, with cavities in the 
outer walls to permit its permeation by air. 
Once more to turn our attention to the propriety of letting specimens of Bigno- 
nias arrive at maturity before they flower with their natural prodigality, we must 
explain our meaning to be that thtdr stems should grow from fifteen to twenty or 
thirty feet long, according to the species, and proportionally stout, ere the proper 
means for throwincj them into blossom are resorted to. What those means are 
will be hereafter mentioned. At present, we wish to enforce the doctrine that 
strength and ripeness must be preliminary to floral development ; and that 
precocity of bloom, as in the human mind, terminates in feeble mediocrity. Not 
that we would have all early flowers abstracted ; for, besides being pleasing, they 
may really improve the plant, by draining off some of its more leafy luxuriance.^^ 
But we would scrupulously abstain from encouraging them at such a time, and the 
more so, because, if the roots are tended as we have advised, exuberance can hardly 
be experienced. 
No one, we are sure, will question the fact that genuine maturity of growth is 
constantly attended by profuseness of inflorescence. And the inference which 
naturally succeeds it, that ripeness must be attained when any quantity of flowers 
is sought, will be as little disputed. But it may be affirmed, with truth, that the 
shoots of the youngest plant can be, and ought to be, matured every year. Con- 
ceding this, however, there is another maturity of which we speak- — the maturity 
of the entire individual, and not of any of its particular parts ; and this state is 
