MARTYNIA FRAGRANS. 
39 
with a bright purple tint ; the throat is also marked with yellow ; and, in addition 
to their beauty, the flowers are highly fragrant, perfuming the air for a considerable 
distance with an odour resembling violets. In every respect this plant is peculiarly 
fitted for ornamenting the greenhouse and conservatory, growing into a very 
compact bush, with nothing straggling or littery about it. With such a character, 
and so many charming qualifications, it is to be regretted that so little is seen of 
this plant, and so few cultivate it throughout the country. When we inquire for 
the reasons of this omission, the answers generally are, that the plants being in so few 
hands, the seeds are scarce and dear, seldom come up when sown, while those which 
do come up are difficult to keep alive, and require more heat to make them flower 
than can be given, except in extensive places, where heat and time can readily be 
afforded. Although these answers contain some facts, they yet lead us to the 
belief, that the culture of this beautiful plant is not so well understood as we could 
wish it to be. Under this impression we submit the following hints on the subject. 
Having obtained the seeds, prepare to sow them as follows : — 
Soil. — Take a portion of sandy heath-mould, and mix it well with plenty of 
sharp white sand ; select a pot in which a small bell-glass will stand ; fill the pot 
half-full of broken crocks as drainage, and the remainder with the soil broken very 
fine, pressing it with the hand as firmly and evenly in the pot as you can, until 
within half an inch of the top. 
Seeds. — Previous to sowing the seeds, soak them in tepid water until the outer 
skin becomes somewhat softened, which may, perhaps, occupy an hour, after which 
take them from the water and divest each (carefully, so as not to injure the radicle,) 
of the outer black coat ; when this is done, they must be immediately sown. 
Sowing. — Place the seeds upon the prepared soil, and cover them with a quarter 
of an inch of soil, pressed as before, put on the bell-glass, place the pot in a saucer 
of water, put it in a cucumber frame, or other place where there is not less than 70 
degrees of moist heat, and no more care is required until the plants make their 
appearance, w r hich will be in about ten days. 
Seedlings. — When the plants are fairly above the soil, slightly prop up one side 
of the glass, to admit a small portion of air; keep the saucer beneath the pot 
supplied with water, but, however dry the soil might appear on the surface, never, 
under any consideration, either previously or in this stage of growth, pour water over 
the soil ; the loss of more or less of the plants would certainly be the consequence. 
As the plants increase in size, give more air, and when they have become pretty 
strong, take off the bell-glass altogether. 
Potting-off. — When the glass has been removed two or three days, proceed to 
take up each plant carefully, and pot it in a small pot, with the same soil in which 
the seeds were sown : do not water overhead, as is customary with newly potted 
plants, but plunge the pots at once into a brisk hot-bed, where there is a very moist 
atmosphere, and cover them with a hand-glass for two or three days, until they have 
begun to grow, after which the glass may be taken away. In all after pottings, 
give them exactly the same treatment as Balsams and Cockscombs. 
