110 REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF THE GENUS LESCHENAULTIA. 
possible care to avoid bruising the stem or main branches. When trained they a: 
again replunged and shaded from bright sunshine until quite recovered from tit 
check, and the leaves have reassumed their wonted position. 
After the plants begin to fade they must be gradually dried off, and be kej 
perfectly dry throughout the winter. The Gloriosas are propagated by seed sow 
in the spring, and by separation of the bulbs. 
REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OE THE GENUS 
LESCHENAULTIA. 
All the species of Leschenaultia (or Lechenaultia , as it was formerly called) ai 
natives of New Holland, and, consequently, greenhouse plants ; and as they ai 
somewhat delicate in their growth, and very liable to die without any apparer 
reason, the following few particulars respecting their treatment may be useful t 
our readers. 
The soil most suitable for their growth is composed of two parts turfy heat 
mould, one part sandy loam, and one part of leaf-mould and fine sand in equa 
proportions. If it can be conveniently done, this soil is better mixed together two o 
three months before being used, and if it was turned once or twice during that period 
it would be an advantage, as these plants never appear to thrive well in soil new! 
dug from the pasture. This soil must not by any means be sifted, or even brokei 
fine : it is always to be preferred when lumpy, and with plenty of fibre retained in it 
In potting, it is indispensable that abundance of drainage should be afforded 
without this the plants cannot possibly thrive long ; indeed, stagnant water at th< 
roots perhaps destroys more plants of this genus than all other causes put together 
This stagnation may arise either from bad drainage, soil which has been sifted o: 
broken too fine and deprived of its fibre, or by placing the plants in too large pots. 
To avoid injury from any of these causes, our rule is to grow them in small potf 
whilst the plants are young, to lay abundance of broken crocks, as drainage, at the 
bottom of each pot, so that the water may have a very free passage through, and tc 
mix with the soil a quantity of broken crocks, pieces of freestone, and charcoal, the 
two latter about the size of a walnut ; by these means the mould never becomes 
hard and solid, which to these plants is of great importance. 
Another important point in potting, also, must not be lost sight of ; if the plants 
are placed deep in the pots they often die, notwithstanding the utmost care and 
attention be paid to them. It is therefore always advisable to place the crown oi 
the roots about on a level with the top of the pot, so that when the soil sinks around 
it, the plant will stand elevated on a slight mound. This effectually prevents injury 
from any occasional mishap in over-watering which might inadvertently occur. 
