FEW SELECT CLIMBING STOVE PLANTS. 
85 
( hartica and treats them precisely alike, except that one shall be carefully and 
>ularly trained, while the other is left to itself, and if the untrained plant will not 
• Dduce fifty per cent, more bloom than the trained one, why, we have been wofully 
< ceived. 
With these preliminary remarks we shall proceed to offer a few suggestions on 
13 cultivation of some of the most remarkable stove climbers ; and, to render our 
marks the more intelligible to the amateur reader, we propose to treat of each 
|mt separately, and we thus hope to render the pot cultivation of some of the 
test climbing plants a little more profitable than, generally, it hitherto has been. 
i Stephanotis floribunda . — This lovely plant was introduced to our stoves some ten 
ars ago, and first produced its flowers in the collection of Mrs. Lawrence, at Ealing 
irk, or rather, at that time, at Drayton Green, where its pure white wax-like flowers 
d delicate scent rendered it a very deserved favourite. It may readily be propa- 
ted by layering the branches or by cuttings ; but as it strikes rather tardily, for 
ivate purposes, layers are preferable. In layering, all that is necessary is to give 
|e branch a twist, so as to rupture the sap-vessels, or cut a notch close under a 
jint, bend the part into a pot, and cover with light sandy soil ; sometimes these 
yers will produce roots and be fit to take off in a few weeks, while at other times 
ey will be months in forming roots; but supposing that your method of propagation 
is progressed favourably, and that you have strong well-rooted plants, your best 
i ethod of procedure will be to give the plants a liberal shift, about the first week in 
iinuary, in a compost consisting of equal portions of good mellow turfy loam and 
j.rfy peat, with a good sprinkling of half decomposed leaf-mould, and sufficient sand 
nd charcoal to keep the compost free and open ; use the compost in a rough state, 
id do not make it too firm in the pots. After the plants are potted they should be 
;.unged in a nice growing bottom-heat of from 75° to 80° and the atmospheric 
mperature should range from 60° to 75°. 
, Under such circumstances the plants will progress with great rapidity, more 
specially if the heat is produced by dung or other fermenting materials. About the 
I riddle of March they will require a second shift, and by the middle of May a third ; 
ill continue to use the same compost, and maintain a lively bottom and atmospheric 
;mperature, of course taking the precaution to avoid burning by excess, either roots 
r branches. After February the plant may be watered liberally, once or twice a 
eek, with manure water, prepared as directed at page 18; and if the walls of the 
it and surface of the plunging material are occasionally sprinkled with the manure 
! ater the atmosphere will be improved thereby and the plants materially benefited, 
f these plants progress as they ought to do, they will, by the end of July, stock 
fteen-inch pots, and cover cylindrical trellises four feet in height; after this time 
hey must be gradually brought to a state of rest ; and by placing them in a sunny, 
■arm situation, close to the glass, every advantage must be taken to get the wood 
horoughly ripened ; if this can be accomplished early in the autumn, a few 
reeks under a south wall in the open air will do the plants no harm. During the 
/inter keep the plants in a temperature rather under than over 50°, and give no 
