86 
ROCKS AND ROCK-PLANTS. 
of February, Young plants placed there with a little attention to stopping tli 
strong shoots for the encouragement of laterals, will thus be in a completj 
flowering state by midsummer, or a little later. They may then either be allowei 
to remain, or be removed to the greenhouse. Perhaps the latter may be mog, 
advisable, if for no other reason than to protect them from the red-spider an 
green-fly which would be apt to prove serious pests in the dry atmosphere 
essential after that period for the perfection of the grapes ; but when they can b 
saved from the attacks of these insects, —they flov/er more abundantly if allowed t|> 
stay, than they do in the greenhouse. 
With respect to training the shoots, most people adopt trellises of soin 
description. For large plants something of the kind is almost indispensabh 
especially with M. bicolor. Much of the effect of plants on trellises, howeve: 
depends on the taste displayed by the culturist in training. It will not do tj. 
train rigidly, and confine all the shoots to their very points ; they should alway 
be left somewhat loose and flowing. But for the smaller specimens there is ncf 
the slightest need for trellises; they will look infinitely^ better without them i 
tastefully managed, using nothing but a single stick for a support, assiste 
perhaps by a little wire near the top. By frequently stopping back after the^ 
have once reached the summit, they are deprived of much of their ramblin' 
character, and soon make graceful bushy specimens, throwing out lateral flowerin 
sprigs in plenty. 
As to soil, they are not bad to suit, provided it is not heavy or retentivi 
Loam and peat, or leaf-mould and loam with a portion of river-sand, answer verjj 
well. Where small plants are wanted, the first ingredients are most appropriate! 
whilst the latter best promote a vigorous condition. When planted out, or potter 
in large pots, pieces of charcoal, or charred turf, may be used with advantage, j 
Since the paper on the Conservative Wall-plants at Chatsworth was writtej 
the M, bicolor has been destroyed. Possibly it might survive through a less sever 
winter than the last ; but it will doubtless always prove better to renew the planl 
yearly, planting out such, in May, as have already made considerable progresi 
A prepared soil, and a dry sunny situation, are indispensable matters to indue 
them to thrive here. 
ROCKS AND ROCK-PLANTS. 
When rockeries are introduced to a garden scene, their formation is influenceit 
by one of two very different intentions. They are either designed as imitations 
the natural features of a wild and rugged scene, or they are contrived for the puj 
pose of furnishing a suitable situation for the cultivation of such plants as ai 
naturally adapted for, or more successfully^ grown under the conditions they afforej 
or have a more interesting effect on rock than when cultivated in any other way. 
