VARIOUS TENDER PLANTS IN THE WINTER SEASON. 
235 
grow at some particular time, and if they are assisted at that time by (if in 
,e winter season) a little additional heat, a closer or moister atmosphere, or in any 
her way the experience of the cultivator may suggest, it is very likely that he will 
tain his wishes at a time and under circumstances which previously he had no 
nception of. This points out the importance of close and diligent observation, and 
e indispensability of great experience and untiring study, to make a man a first-rate 
iltivator. It also accounts for the marked success of many men who force 
temselves into public notice as superior gardeners, and who know nothing of the 
leory of their success, except what they have gathered from their daily practice, 
it who sometimes rise up and put to shame those whose superior scholastic 
lainments ought to have placed them in a more forward rank. 
' In endeavouring, however, to assist a delicate-growing plant, more especially in 
ie winter season, it must always be borne in mind that plants which are consti- 
i Ltionally delicate do not like extreme changes at any time, or of every kind ; and 
msequently, though a plant maybe benefitted by five or six degrees additional heat, 
317 possibly an increase of ten or twelve degrees in the temperature of the house 
ould be positive destruction to it. It will therefore always be wise, in subjecting 
reenhouse plants, especially delicate-growing ones, to more heat than what it is 
istomary to give them, to do so gradually, and so that they experience no sudden 
lange — at least not until such time as you have satisfied yourself by experiment 
lat what you are about to do is quite right. As a singular illustration of what may 
e effected with a very difficult plant by increased temperature at what would appear 
very unseasonable time, we have for some years past been in the habit of subjecting 
ie whole of our Gompholobiums to the temperature of a cool stove, or intermediate 
ouse at this season, and we find that they will make more growth under such 
ircumstances during the winter, than it is possible to induce them to make in double 
he time in the summer season. This is more especially the case with the most 
ifficult plant in the whole genus, G. splendens, the beautiful bright-yellow species, 
inch every person admires, but which at the same time very few, even among the 
iest cultivators, can succeed in getting into anything like vigorous growth. Some 
ime back, however, we put a plant, as a kill-or-cure remedy, into regular stove 
teat, and, to our great surprise and gratification, it directly started into vigorous 
growth, and continues to progress at the rate of three or four inches per week, the 
hoots being strong and healthy, and what is more remarkable, the foliage particu- 
arly strong and fine. Generally, the foliage of this species is small, crumpled, and 
diseased, which made it very objectionable; but grown in stove-heat, the plant 
Dromises to become not only manageable, but really a very great acquisition to 
Elections. We keep the plant at the coolest end of the stove, and when it has 
inished its growth we shall remove it into the intermediate house, and from thence, 
ifter a time, to the greenhouse. Here, then, is the key to the cultivation of one of 
:he most beautiful climbers in creation, a plant which every one admires, and which 
3 very person who has a stove may now cultivate with success. 
