REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF A FEW ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 
113 
vrent of invention : the want of convenience to pursue the beaten track often 
ijids to the discovery of superior ways of culture. But let us not be misconstrued : 
‘ would not depreciate the advantages which may be commanded by -well- 
:’anged apparatus and ample conveniences, nor undervalue a special order of 
iiinagement for different plants ; nevertheless, with all these, cultivation is still a 
i:;re experiment without indefatigable attention, and some ingenuity. 
Many people are deterred from growing the Clerodendrums through the 
( mmon belief that they will only succeed in a stove. Fine plants, however, may 
■ had with nothing but a greenhouse and a common pit or frame. Undoubtedly 
ty may be grown larger, and are more easily preserved through the winter in a 
|)ve ; but, in small places, dwarf specimens, with a good cluster of blossoms, are 
|aally more desirable than large ones. 
As they are plants which send out their flowers from the top of the current 
iison’s shoots, it is essential to the production of fine trusses to give every encou- 
jyement to the perfect development of stem and leaves early in spring. With 
tiis view, the wood of the previous season should be cut away to within two or 
ree buds of the base ; this will induce the eyes left to push with greater vigour, 
hey may be left dry for a week or two after pruning ; they are then to be 
I inted in smaller-sized pots, and set in a pit or frame heated either with fer- 
mting materials, or by a tank, observing to have the pots plunged nearly to the 
m. Here they may remain until the flowers are formed, shifting them into 
I’ger pots as soon as they get to grow rapidly. 
A strong fibrous loam, in a rough state, kept open by adding a portion of leaf- 
;)uld, constitutes an appropriate soil. Well- rotted cow-dung may be added, if 
..'ge specimens are desired | but the exuberance of the plant will be more under 
' atrol if, in lieu of it, liquid manure be applied frequently after the plant has 
gun to grow freely. Where a large quantity of rotten dung is incorporated 
th the soil, and the roots have once penetrated it, should it stimulate to 
<cessive vigour, there is no means of avoiding it without repotting the plant, 
t’owth might be checked by placing in a lower temperature, or in a drier atmo- 
Liere^ but it is more than probable that the one would induce a sickly aspect, 
! d the other would be likely to encourage insects, especially as the plants are at 
: times very liable to their attacks. Liquid manure admits of being applied or 
'(thheld at pleasure, as the exigencies of the plants suggest. Besides, smaller 
] fcs will sufiice ; because the same bulk of loam, fed from time to time with liquid 
]||inure, will afford as much nutriment, or nearly so, as if the dung itself were 
^iorporated with it. Soil that contains much dung is, moreover, sooner 
^lausted; and by the time the plants are in bloom, it will be so far spent as to 
I scarcely able to maintain the leaves in a healthy deep green colour. It must 
1 remembered, however, that the liquid should be clear, such as usually drains to 
tank of a farm-yard, and not the thick muddy substance obtained by mixing 
pg and water together, and stirring up, as many do, before it is used. 
VOL. XII. XO. CXXXVII. Q 
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