RANDOM RECOLLECTIONS OF WINTER-BLOOMING PLANTS, 
135 
lovely plant, probably the finest of the tribe, not so much cultivated as its merit 
entitles it to be. 
Euellia macrophylla. — The plant figured at page 29 of the present volume is also 
a very superior stove plant, blooming through the winter with great freedom ; and 
the old B. formosa, with its bright scarlet flowers, is also a good plant for our 
present purpose. 
Pentas camea. — A few good plants of this should always be grown in the stove 
through the winter, as they produce a profusion of flowers, which are very acceptable 
for bouquets. The plant is too easily managed to need a remark. 
Gesnera zebrina. — This and G. elongata are two admirable plants for winter : 
the former, like the Achimenes picta, which must be classed with it, is propagated 
by the division of the grub-like tubers, and these, for winter-blooming, must be 
started about July, and kept vigorously growing. They are remarkably hand- 
some plants both in flower and foliage. G. elongata is propagated by cuttings, 
which strike readily in heat, and, to make fine plants, require to be grown vigorously 
through the preceding season. 
Manettia bicolor. — A free-growing stove climber, striking with great freedom, 
and, if properly encouraged, covering a large trellis in a very short time. It is a 
stove plant, but, to ensure its blooming, it is advisable to ripen off in the greenhouse 
towards the autumn. 
Cinerarias. — These are indispensable plants for winter decoration, and of them- 
selves will form a very good show. Everybody knows they may be propagated by 
seeds, by cuttings, and by division of the plants ; but the most simple way of 
managing them is this : — in June, after they have done blooming, prepare a piece 
of light rich ground in the open garden, and having reduced the ball, plant them 
out at about eighteen inches apart, and supply them liberally with water whenever 
they require it. Here they will grow vigorously, so that by the end of August they 
will be fit to take up and part. At this time the strongest plants must be potted 
into small pots, in a compost consisting of light loam, leaf-mould, and sand, with 
which a little soot may be intermixed, and afterwards placed in a close cold frame, 
and shaded until they make root ; but the smaller plants may be pricked out in the 
open ground at about nine inches apart, where they may remain until October. 
The first lot will be in bloom in November, and the second will give a succession 
until the following May. If fine specimens are wanted, they must be liberally 
treated, both at the root and branch, by giving plenty of pot-room, and supplying 
them liberally with manure water, and by maintaining at all times a kindly moist 
atmosphere. 
In addition to the preceding plants, Fuchsia serratifolia is also a fine winter- 
flowering plant, and with a good stock of the double and single Chinese Primulas, 
some Heaths, and plenty of Tree and Neapolitan Violets, some Mignonette, and 
forced Roses and Bulbs, a first-rate display may be kept up from Michaelmas until 
May-day. 
