225 
ON THE CULTURE OF CALL A (RICHARDIA) iETHIOPICA. 
The old, but very ornamental plant which forms the subject of this notice, has 
been known in this country for more than a century ; and, like all other plants so 
circumstanced, is now very generally neglected. We have recently, however, 
become acquainted with an interesting fact relative to its cultivation, which, if 
more generally known, would probably have the effect of restoring it in some 
degree to popular favour. This we shall now briefly detail ; first offering a few 
general remarks on its cultivation, as we have been accustomed to practise it. 
It is not uncommon to see this fine old species in cottage windows, and the 
drawing-rooms of the more respectable classes in the vicinity of towns ; and to 
such cultivators we imagine it will not be uninteresting to lay down a few rules 
for its management. We will suppose a plant in the possession of any such indi- 
viduals to have recently flowered, and the leaves to be just commencing to decay. 
This will most probably occur about the month of May, and at this period of its 
growth, the pot in which it is kept should be removed to the open air, where the plant 
can receive an abundance of solar light ; only a sufficient quantity of water should 
be applied to the roots to prevent its leaves from dying off* suddenly, and when 
they are completely withered, it may be removed to any situation where it can be 
preserved from wet, — any spare corner of the house, or even of the cellar, will 
answer the purpose, — and the soil should be occasionally sprinkled with water, but 
only to such a degree as to prevent it from becoming dust dry. 
If the plant is desired to flower in March, it should be removed from its con- 
finement in the month of November or December, and, after being potted, may 
be placed in the window of a dwelling room where a fire is kept, and watered 
more liberally. The soil used should be a rather sandy loam, with a slight 
admixture of leaf mould, or rotten manure. In the situation above recommended, 
the plant should be frequently turned to the light, and no curtains or other mate- 
rial should be allowed to obstruct, or screen it from, the solar rays. 
As it progresses in growth, it must be more frequently watered, but never 
unless it requires it, and the water which drains through the pot into the saucer 
beneath, should be daily thrown away as soon as it is perceived. With such 
treatment, it may be brought to flower in great perfection ; and its fine, deep 
green, glossy foliage, contrasted with the large and snowy white flowers, and these 
again with the beautiful yellow spadix in the centre of them, will have a very 
interesting and ornamental appearance, and remain perfect for several weeks. 
By preserving this plant dormant for a longer period, and planting it out in 
the open border in the month of May, its season of flowering may be deferred till 
June, or even later, and it will form a showy feature in the flower-garden. Or, 
it may be left to flower in the situation before alluded to, and a succession of 
VOL. V. NO. LVIII. G G 
