HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF A FEW ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 
67 
’ How Rir it may be useful to turn young plants into the flower-beds in 
jBuinmer, appears to be questionable. We have never yet seen specimens bloom 
till they had acquired considerable size. But even though they do not flower, 
they may be planted in the same bed with free-flowering plants that are deficient 
!in foliage ; and if kept low, they will form an excellent verdant covering. The 
?reat space which large plants require during winter, is a matter of some moment 
n most collections, and must prevent such from being extensively used for the 
parterre. There can be no doubt, however, that the large plants wliich have 
idorned the greenhouse during the previous summer and winter may be planted 
3ut with advantage, and their place replenished with younger specimens. Three 
)r four of these large plants may be made to extend over a moderately capacious 
3ed, by carefully bending down and fastening the shoots to the ground with hooked 
3egs — a plan which is of further benefit in conferring a more dwarf appearance, 
ind promoting the development of side growth ; and the same method, though in 
i more limited extent, is useful with plants intended to remain in pots. When an 
nclination is manifested to run up with only one or two stems, instead of applying 
he usual corrective of pruning, it is preferable to divert the current of sap into the 
I iide buds, by bending the shoots downwards ; and any degree of bushiness that 
nay be thought desirable is easily obtained, by resorting to this expedient from 
ime to time as the plant proceeds in growth. The utility of the practice is 
ixhibited in an earlier bloom tlian would have been produced, had each bud been 
ihortened every time an increase of shoots became necessary to maintain the 
ymmetry of the bush ; and the flexures thus formed in the branches will always 
)e sufiiciently obscured by the quantity of foliage, 
I Being of a succulent nature (though capable of enduring a great degree of 
mmidity at the roots), much water is not essential to it, and only tends to retard 
'he disclosure of bloom ; and as the unrestricted extension of roots, when trans- 
planted into the borders, has a similar tendency, the selection of a shallow soil in a 
ijlry and well-drained situation is a highly politic measure ; and if possible, it 
hould be a place well favoured with sunshine. 
I We have yet another feature to point to, and that is, the facility which attends 
ts management as a window plant for the cottager. In this respect it is almost 
iiirivalled ; for, with a trifling amount of care, it will retain the beautiful green 
•f its leaves, even in tlie smoky atmosphere of the metropolis. In such a station 
t is imperative to supply water to the roots during winter with a very niggardly 
land, and to check as much as possible the propensity which the plant usually 
■iisplays to elongate its branches \ and the sponge must also be frequently employed 
;o keep the leaves clear of dust and dirt. 
A remarkable fact in connection with vegetable colours, and one which the 
'ulturist may apply to a practical advantage, is that displayed by several green- 
house plants— and which we have especially observed in some of those with flowers 
■ arying from an orange-red to scarlet— of acquiring a deeper and more brilliant 
