MANAGEMENT OF PLANTS IN ROOMS. 
41 
fibrous texture, with general habits like the Ericce , as JDiosma , Andersdnia, Epd- 
cris, &c. will require the same soil, (peat earth) and very similar treatment to Cape 
Heaths. Those whose wood and general habits partially differ, and whose roots are 
of a stronger texture, as Acacia, Ardisia , Stenocarpus , Tetrathica, Tristanea, &c., 
will require a portion of sandy loam, — in many cases about equal parts ; and where 
the habits, &c. differ materially from the heath, only a small portion of peat earth 
will be required, and a compost may be made a little rich, by the addition of well 
rotted dung. 
Almost all Cape and other bulbs, as Sparaxis, Ixia , Gladiolus, Tritonia, &c., 
thrive best in a mixture of light rich sandy loam, leaf mould, and a little peat. 
Shrubby and herbaceous plants, with luxuriant roots and branches, as several species 
of Myrtus , Jasminum , Hibiscus , Hermannia , Heliotropium, &c. require rich loam, 
lightened with leaf soil, without any portion of peat. Plants with powerful roots, 
and but slender heads, as Veronica , Senecia , Scutellaria, Ruellia, Maurandia , &c., 
require a light sandy soil, mixed with a small portion of leaf mould and very rotten 
dung. At the time of potting, always lay plenty of broken potsherds at the bottom 
of each pot, to give a good drainage. 
It will be seen that these directions do not allude to either orchideous, succulent, 
or aquatic plants. Many of the orchidese require a portion of decayed wood mixing 
with the soil: — others grow in damp moss; but these being chiefly stove plants, 
will not flourish in a room ; there are several species, however, that thrive very 
well both in the green-house and in rooms, as Arethusa, Calopogon, Dendrobriwm, 
Ophrys , &c. : the soil suitable for these is a mixture of about equal parts of light 
sandy loam and peat ; very little or no water must be given when they are not in a 
growing state. 
Succulent plants of all descriptions require very little water, and in general are 
very easily managed in rooms ; many of them thrive in a mixture of sandy soil and 
lime rubbish, as Aloe, Cacalia, Cactus, Aizoon, &c. ; others grow well in a mixture 
of equal parts of light sandy loam and peat, as Coris, Cotyledon, Mesembryanthe- 
mum, &c. 
Aquatic Plants, as Villavsia, Actinocarpus, &c., generally do well in a mixture 
of peat and loam, and require to be constantly kept in a wet state ; indeed the best 
way is to place the pot in a deep pan or feeder, which should always be kept filled 
with water. 
Bulbs of most sorts flourish in rooms with less care than most other kinds of 
plants. Hyacinths should be planted in autumn. In preparing pots for them, select 
such as are about four inches deep and three inches wide, put a little rotten dung 
in each pot, fill each pot up with light rich soil, and plant the bulbs so shallow that 
nearly half the bulb stands above the soil ; plunge the pots in the open air, and cover 
them six or eight inches deep with rotten bark. During spring take them out as 
they are wanted to bring into flower, and set them in the window of a warm room 
where they will be fully exposed to the sun. Those who do not possess a garden 
may set the pots in a cellar or outhouse, or in the corner of a yard, and cover them 
with light soil or sand until they are wanted to bring into the room to flower. 
When the leaves begin to decay after they have done flowering give them no water ; 
VOL. i. — NO. II. g 
