HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF A FE>v uKNAMENTAL PLANTS. 
65 
0 admit of a very extensive application without considerable modification to adapt 
liem to the requirements of each. Thus, light is universally recognised as an 
ssential agent to tlie well-being of a plant ; but the degree of light beneficial to 
ifferent species, or even which they can bear with impunity, varies as greatly as 
heir respective botanical characters or general aspect. The same is true of other 
gencies ; and on this account, therefore, directions for the management of 
articular species, or families corresponding in habits, will always be desirable, 
'he detail of different plans of treatment, will likewise furnish a means of creating 
dditional variety in the several stations for which each is respectively fitted. 
Considerable interest being at the present time manifested with regard to the 
^uaniillba parasitica, so long cultivated in gardens as Brugmansia fiorihunda, we 
re induced to pen a few observations upon it, assured that in so doing we shall be 
oniplying with the desire of many of our subscribers. 
With the knowledge of the primitive name, we gain some facts relative to its 
atural habits and climate, which may possibly be turned to advantage in its 
ultivation. It is described by Ruiz and Pavon, its original discoverers, as 
parasitical plant growing on the trunks of trees in forests, and assuming a 
endent direction. Coupling this fact, then, with the prevalence of a clouded 
tmosphere in Peru, we have at once the best evidence for assuming shade to be a 
ecessary condition to ensure success in its management. Effectual drainage, and 
0 be effectual it must be extensive, so that the roots may never be surrounded by 
n excess of moisture, is another axiom plainly established by the natural situation 
eing upon trees. 
But even to set aside these inductions, as derived from the natural circum- 
tances which attend the plant in a wild state, the conclusions drawn from 
epeated practice and observation come in support of the same theory ; and we 
an have no hesitation in affirming that the frequent failures in its cultivation may 
enerally be traced to the neglect of one or other of these conditions. We do not, 
owever, mean to assert that success is solely and exclusively dependent on them, 
3r the health of plants must ever be influenced by a variety of causes. 
To carry out these hints, instead of using a loamy and retentive soil, one of a 
aore open character and more permeable to fluids should be chosen. That degree 
f humidity in the soil most beneficial to this, and indeed to a very large number 
f all cultivated plants, is that which merely moistens all the particles, without 
troducing saturation ; and this condition will be best preserved by a looser 
rrangement, and materials of a coarse mechanical texture. The Juanulloa thrives 
dmirably in a mixture of rough pieces of rotten wood and decayed leaves ; and 
rom the fact of the plant locating upon trees in its native state, we may safely 
onclude that this is the natural medium for its roots. 
A degree of bottom-heat to the roots is another important point, and effects a 
lost astonishing improvement in the growth and flowering ; and more especially 
7hen the plants are provided with it from the earliest stage of their existence, for 
VOL, Xn. NO. cxxxv. K 
