PHARBITIS LEARII IN THE OPEN AIR. 
85 
management will bear us testimony : kept growing in pots, it soon becomes 
unmanageable, as far as desirable training, by confining it to any description of 
trellis, to induce it to form a pleasing specimen, &c, is concerned, and attains to such 
dimensions as render its further management as a pot-plant, impracticable. If it 
is plunged in the pot in which it may be growing, or planted out in the greenhouse 
or stove, a continuation of equally exuberant growth will still distinguish it, and 
under such circumstances a very considerable space, possessing the advantage of being 
quite open, and enjoying unobstructed light, is quite necessary, if it is to be allowed 
to develop its natural character. With such advantages, a splendid effect, in late 
autumn, when the natural luxuriance of its growth is checked by the decreased 
amount of light, is often created for a considerable period, by the splendour and 
number of its blossoms. By a modification of the last-mentioned course of treat- 
ment, or a combination of the advantages of the two methods alluded to, we have 
succeeded in flowering it in a very superior and remarkable manner. Some seed 
sown early last spring, quickly formed strong healthy plants ; at first they were libe- 
rally potted, and being favoured with a temperature and atmosphere very congenial 
to vegetation, they grew with astonishing luxuriance ; eventually, however, 
(through the summer) they were nominally disregarded. In autumn they were 
placed, still growing in the same pots, (which for the size of the plants were small, 
and which had become filled with roots,) in a house where a very agreeable dryish 
temperature was maintained, and which enjoyed peculiar advantages in being very 
light, catching almost every ray of sun : for convenience the pots were elevated over 
the hot-water pipes, the plants having their tops directed and slightly attached to a 
trellis- work at the back of the house ; with the aid of an occasional watering of liquid 
manure, they grew rapidly, and presently flowered in a most profuse manner, creating 
an effect during the time the flowers remained expanded, difficult to convey an idea of 
by description. But under neither of the methods of treatment detailed can the 
plants enjoy an extended cultivation. 
The principle upon which success was attained in flowering 2". ruhro-cmrulea, in 
the instance just considered, consisted in the plants having been suitably situated to 
indulge their natural exuberance of growth, and then being subjected to such 
conditions as were favourable to the production of flowers. 
Pharbitis Learii, universally known as Ipomcea Learii, is much more favourably 
regarded than /. rubro-carulea ; and deservedly so, as being essentially more 
valuable, from its being a perennial, growing and bearing its clusters of flowers 
(when they are at all produced) with much greater freedom. Almost without 
exception, it is grown in the stove and then planted out ; and we cannot deny but 
that in numerous instances very distinguished success results from the treatment it 
there experiences. But in an economical point of view, and not less regarding it as 
occupying such an extent of space, thereby monopolising that room which could be much 
more pleasingly devoted to other climbers to give variety, &c, it is maintained 
there at a considerable sacrifice. Planted out frequently where it has no restrictions 
