186 
NOTES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HERBERTIA DRUMMONDII. 
plants do not thrive well if cramped at the roots or often shifted. Immedialy 
after being placed in larger pots, it is advisable to subject them to an increase 
temperature with considerable humidity, until they have begun to grow freely. 
They always require a good supply of water at the roots, but soon suffer i it 
stagnates ; therefore give plenty of drainage, and, during the season of growth, tty 
should be freely syringed over-head every fine day; this will greatly facilitate tir 
development. It is also very advantageous to water them, once a week, with l a 
liquid manure. 
Air is an indispensable requisite at the time the plants are in flower, for un ss 
they are exposed in some degree to this, hut few fruit will set. 
Propagation is effected by cuttings, layers, and seeds. 
Eipened cuttings are taken off any time of the year, except when the yo - g 
wood is forming, and planted in pots of sand; plunge in heat, and cover wit a 
hand-glass. In six weeks or two months they will he rooted. 
When they are well rooted pot them off in the soil recommended before, but d 
one-fourtli of heath-mould to it, on account of the plants being small, re-plunge tljn 
under glass, until they have again begun to grow, afterwards expose to a little r, 
by degrees, until they will, without drooping, stand amongst the ordinary plants n 
the stove. 
For layers — branches merely pegged beneath the surface of the soil, with it 
any incision, will strike root ; but their emission is facilitated by an incision be g 
made on the upper or under side of the branch ; this incision should be made Ilf 
way through the branch, and an inch long, sloping upwards. 
Pots open on one side, from top to bottom, for the more ready introduction c a 
branch, filled with soil, and elevated on sticks to the desired height, are very cjr 
venient for layers of both this and other plants. 
Seeds are sown in spring, and when up are potted off, and treated as recu- 
mended for cuttings. 
NOTES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HERBERTIA DRUMMOND! 
All the species of Herbertia are hardy greenhouse bulbous plants, and flo 1 r 
well in the open air during summer. H. Drummondii will endure the cold of r 
ordinary winters very tolerably, but is liable to perish from over moisture ; i s-, 
therefore always better to include it amongst pot plants, which in winter are sheltei L 
The proper season for potting is just before the bulbs begin to grow, after e 
season of rest. Turn them out of the pots, separate the bulbs from the soil, 
after selecting the finest, replant them in small pots, four in each pot. The pro r 
soil for their growth is equal parts of light sandy loam, heath-mould, and sat, 
mixed and broken together, but not sifted. After being potted, do not subject tha 
to any heat, until they have grown considerably ; for if this be done, they often gi v 
