ON THE CULTIVATION OF PLEROMA ELEGANS. 
271 
time, being an evergreen shrub, moisture must not be withheld so excessively as to induce 
the occurrence of foliaceous denudation. 
Thirdly. The compost employed should consist of substantial loam and peat in about 
equal quantities, rendered porous and open by the presence of sand and the finer particles 
of drainage being commingled with it. Efficient bottom drainage should also be secured 
by a plentiful use of potsherds, broken bones, charcoal lumps, the coarser portions of turf, 
&c., and the above should not be enriched by manure in the solid form, or decomposed 
vegetable substances of an over-stimulating kind. 
Fourthly. When commencing growth in spring the sunniest and most airy situation 
the greenhouse can afford should be allotted it, even close to the glass if possible, until the 
middle of May, moisture being still cautiously administered to the roots, but supplied 
copiously, and occasionally syringed over head as the growth becomes vigorous. 
Fifthly. During growth, only the most rampant shoots should be stopped " to pre- 
serve uniformity by throwing additional vigour into the weaker ones, but a gradual 
disbudding and thinning of the shoots whilst young should be accomplished, in order that the 
specimen may not be redundant of "wood," and that the remaining shoots may experience 
every available assistance by additional exposure to the maturing influences of Hght and air. 
Sixthly. As the annual growth approaches completion, syringing should be no longer 
performed, water given cautiously and not so copiously as hitherto at the root, although the 
real condition of drought must not of course be permitted. The specimen should now be 
transferred from the greenhouse to an aspect in the open air where every atmospheric 
influence, apart from vjet, can be ensured. 
It matters not how intense the sunlight may happen to be, the shoots must be ripened 
or they will not flower, and, although it would be advisable, nay indispensable, to plunge 
to the pot-rim in coal-ashes or sand, or to enclose the pot in another pot or tub having an 
intervening layer of moss or sand betwaxt them to shield the soil from desiccation, and the 
roots themselves from the evil effects arising from an undue amount of dryness in the soil, 
no apprehension need be entertained as to the amount of solar influence the wood should 
experience: it maybe literally " roasted " by the sun and yet will take no harm, but rather 
this " roasting " process is an indispensable preliminary to proliferousness of inflorescence, 
so long as the soil is accorded a reasonable quantum of moisture to obviate desiccation, 
but no more than is requisite to accomplish the latter object; as if water during the 
maturation of the wood and formation of the bloom-buds be given with too liberal a hand, 
the consequences may be that a secondary growth may occur, instead of the plant unfolding 
its splendid flowers. 
It is true that the foliage will become somewhat brown or assume a reddish tinge by 
this full exposure, robbing the leaves of their rich green colour, but this circumstance will not 
happen to any considerable extent if previously well exposed in the greenhouse and thoroughly 
inured to atmospheric influence before leaving it to the effects of the open air. But, 
however this may happen to be, exposure is indispensable to the obtainment of flowers, and 
there are few who would not willingly forego some detraction from the loveliness of the 
specimen when atoned for by a glimpse of the peculiar richness of this plant s floral hues ; 
and doubtless when the buds are formed, and w^ien, in order to obtain a long continuance 
of the expanded blossoms, the specimen is replaced in a greenhouse or structure of any kind 
for affording necessary protection from the weather, a slight shading for a few days only 
would quickly restore much of the verdure that has been lost, and the leaves have time 
sufficient to regain their wonted rich green tints, before the expansion of the flowers occurs, 
and thus the beauty of the specimen be enhanced, by the contrasted charms of glossy green 
and the richest violet-purple. 
Should, however, as unfortunately does too often happen in the British Isles, a 
rainy summer obtain, the subject under discussion must not of course be removed to the 
open air, as above recommended, but in that case " hardened off " as well as can be done, 
by close proximity to the glass, so that every fitful ray of solar influence may be appro- 
priated in the greenhouse or cold pit in conjunction with the utmost freedom of aeration 
under existing circumstances. 
