OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
47 
Aspa'sia epidendroi v des. The true A. epidendroides, which is often confounded with the other 
species, has flowered for the last two or three months with Messrs. Loddiges, and seems as if it 
would continue to bloom for several future months. It has large and strong pseudo-bulbs and 
foliage, and the blossoms are borne on upright spikes like a Zygopetalum. The sepals are of a 
yellowish ground, mottled with brown, and the petals are of a light purplish tint, merging into 
greenish towards the outside. The lip is white, passing into purple in the middle, and changing 
to brownish-yellow after having been expanded for some time. It ip rather a handsome species, 
and is treated like the pseudo-bulbous section of Epidendra. 
Bego'nia mantca^ta. Named from the singular frill-like rows of spines which surround the 
leaf at the top of the leaf- stalk. It is an interesting plant, apparently shrubby, at present about 
nine inches in height, and having large green shining leaves, with irregular clusters of dark brown 
spines depending from the nerves on the under side. The flowers are produced in loose terminal 
panicles, and are somewhat small, whitish pink, and numerous. It is blooming finely in a stove 
at Messrs. Loddiges'. 
Epa'cris, new species. In the nursery of Messrs. Young, Epsom, there is now blossoming a 
novel species of Epacris^ which was obtained from Van Diemen's Land. It is a dw'arf and dense- 
growing plant, with short, stout, and very woody branches, dull green lanceolate leaves, and 
sessile white flowers, which have a diminutive tube, and a peculiarly expansive and spreading 
limb. It seems to flower most prodigally, and the blossoms have an odour like those of the 
Hawthorn. From the other species it is easily distinguished, when out of flower, by its lighter 
green leaves, which have not the usual polished surface, and by the thickness and stuntedness of 
its shoots. When grown to a moderate size, it will be a highly ornamental plant. At Messrs. 
Henderson's, too, there is another new species, which was raised from New Holland seeds several 
years ago, by the gentleman from' whom Messrs. Henderson received it. It has much of the 
aspect of E. grandiflora, but rather more scattered and paler foliage ; and the flowers, which are 
long, tubular, and pendent, exhibit a beautiful combination of blush and white. It differs 
materially, however, from a hybrid of this character noticed in our last Number, and is much 
superior. 
OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
A more than ordinary share of the beauty and interest of flowering plants during the remainder 
of the season depending on what is now done to prepare them, the gardener ought to be more than 
usually active this month in order to get everything done at a proper time, and exceedingly 
careful to have it done in a manner likely to produce the desired effects. By aiming at a very 
high standard of perfection, it will be rare indeed that his plants will fall below mediocrity, and he 
may often realise the full extent of his wishes. 
House-plants of almost every sort included in the common denominations of greenhouse and 
stove species will now be pushing forth their buds, and beginning to make their yearly growth. 
It will be necessary, therefore, to give them a general potting. The nature of this transference 
must rest, in a great measure, on their individual wants ; but a few regulations may yet be sup- 
plied for effecting it under ordinary circumstances. 
The vulgar notion of a potting time, or one at which each plant should be shifted into a larger 
pot whether it be or be not requisite, or, in fact, when a contrary change is sometimes essential, 
hardly needs combating in this Magazine. One specimen may demand an immediate shift ; it 
may be better to retain another in its existing condition ; and a third will probably be benefited 
by being placed in a less pot ; all which can only be decided by the appearance of each. 
With those for which a removal to an enlarged medium is decidedly needed, a uniform system 
of treatment should be adopted. Instead of placing them at once in a pot of the size they will be 
likely to fill by the time they have completed their summer's growth, all ought to be shifted into 
pots just one size larger than those they already occupy ; or when the roots are very abundant, 
and have been too much confined, and it is wished that the specimen should grow luxuriantly, a 
trifling departure from this practice, by the use of a still larger pot, may be allowed. We insist, 
