207 
HINTS ON ALTINGIA (ARAUCARIA) EXCELSA. 
The cultivation of this noble ornament is generally looked upon as very 
simple, and certainly a person with an ordinary acquaintance with the habits of 
plants will find no great difficulty in managing it, providing the plant placed under 
his care be in a good state of health, and fully established ; but even allowing this, 
there are many points which experience has proved to be of much advantage, even 
in the management of healthy and established plants, not to make mention of the 
care and attention required to bring them to a good size and state of safety. Our 
experience suggests the following as the best mode of managing and keeping esta- 
blished plants in a state of health and free growth. The soil in which they appear 
to thrive best is strong sandy loam, mixed with sandy peat ; these compounds should 
be used in the proportion of two parts of loam to one of peat, well blended and re- 
duced tolerably fine with the spade only. The plants before shifting should be 
examined as to the strength and health of their roots ; if they prove strong 
and clean, (the latter indicates health,) the plant will be safe to have a full shift ; 
on the other hand, if the roots have not penetrated w r ell through the soil, and 
appear less strong and healthy, it will not be safe to give more than a moderate 
one, as more soil in the pot or tub at a time than is necessary is injurious to the 
roots of this plant. Although it delights in a good quantity of water when grow- 
ing, it is the best and safest way to employ a good deal of drainage. This pre- 
vents stagnation, and keeps the soil about the roots open, and not dangerously wet. 
This fine plant, we have been informed, never or rarely loses any of its foliage ; but 
we have found plants, when exposed long to the action of the hot sun, have their 
foliage much injured, by first assuming a yellow colour, afterwards turning brown, 
and finally falling off: in consequence of this we always avoid, as far as it is 
practicable, allowing the plants to stand long exposed to the sun ; but as these 
plants are generally grown with the orange trees, and the construction of an oran- 
gery being such as rarely to admit the rays of the sun, it does not often 
happen that they are injured in such situations ; we merely throw out the hint 
for the benefit of those who have not an orangery, and consequently are with- 
out its advantages in growing this plant. If it is growing, as at Kew Gardens, 
in an orangery with a dark roof, having the light only admitted through the 
windows in front, it is necessary that the plant be turned round occasionally, so 
that all sides may enjoy the benefit of the sun and light. The superb specimens 
at Kew would, in our judgment, look much better if a little more attention were 
paid them in this respect. When the orange trees are syringed or engined, the 
Altingias would be much better if the operation extended to them also. Seed- 
lings or young plants raised from cuttings, &c, do not require such strong soil as 
those that are older and established ; about equal portions of loam and peat seem to 
suit them best ; they must not be over potted, and it is equally necessary to guard 
against confining their roots, both operating equally inimically to the free growth of 
the plant. When the plants are very young, they should stand in a close frame, 
pit, or greenhouse, for they come on much better if kept a little confined, than they 
will in a situation where there is a current of air : but in a close atmosphere it is 
