RANDOM RECOLLECTIONS OF WINTER-BLOOMING PLANTS. 135 
I vely plant, probably the finest of the tribe, not so much cultivated as its merit 
ititles it to be. 
Buellia macrophylla. — The plant figured at page 29 of the present volume is also 
very superior stove plant, blooming through the winter with great freedom ; and 
ie old R. formosa, with its bright scarlet flowers, is also a good plant for our 
resent purpose. 
Pentas carnea. — A few good plants of this should always be grown in the stove 
irough the winter, as they produce a profusion of flowers, which are very acceptable 
»r bouquets. The plant is too easily managed to need a remark. 
Gesnera zebrina. — This and G. elongata are two admirable plants for winter : 
le former, like the Achimenes picta, which must be classed with it, is propagated 
y the division of the grub-like tubers, and these, for winter-blooming, must be 
tarted about July, and kept vigorously growing. They are remarkably hand- 
pme plants both in flower and foliage. G. elongata is propagated by cuttings, 
rhich strike readily in heat, and, to make fine plants, require to be grown vigorously 
hrough the preceding season. 
Manettia bicolor. — A free-growing stove climber, striking with great freedom, 
nd, if properly encouraged, covering a large trellis in a very short time. It is a 
tove plant, but, to ensure its blooming, it is advisable to ripen off in the greenhouse 
owards the autumn. 
Cinerarias. — These are indispensable plants for winter decoration, and of them- 
j elves will form a very good show. Everybody knows they may be propagated by 
eeds, by cuttings, and by division of the plants ; but the most simple way of 
nanaging them is this : — in June, after they have done blooming, prepare a piece 
if light rich ground in the open garden, and having reduced the ball, plant them 
)ut at about eighteen inches apart, and supply them liberally with water whenever 
hey require it. Here they will grow vigorously, so that by the end of August they 
will be fit to take up and part. At this time the strongest plants must be potted 
nto small pots, in a compost consisting of light loam, leaf-mould, and sand, with 
vhich a little soot may be intermixed, and afterwards placed in a close cold frame, 
md shaded until they make root ; but the smaller plants may be pricked out in the 
open ground at about nine inches apart, where they may remain until October. 
The first lot will be in bloom in November, and the second will give a succession 
i until the following May. If fine specimens are wanted, they must be liberally 
treated, both at the root and branch, by giving plenty of pot-room, and supplying 
them liberally with manure water, and by maintaining at all times a kindly moist 
atmosphere. 
In addition to the preceding plants, Fuchsia serratifolia is also a fine winter- 
flowering plant, and with a good stock of the double and single Chinese Primulas, 
some Heaths, and plenty of Tree and Neapolitan Violets, some Mignonette, and 
forced Roses and Bulbs, a first-rate display may be kept up from Michaelmas until 
May-day. 
