16 
PECULIARITIES IN THE CULTURE OF NEW PLANTS. 
which they may incline. If these last are very numerous, their tendency to erect- 
ness frequently renders them too dense to exhibit the flowers in a proper manner ; 
and, in this case, stakes can be placed at sufficient distances around the stems, and 
the exterior branches fastened to them in the same position as those in the centre, 
thus merely making the head more expansive. This is decidedly preferable to any 
other method of diffusing and adjusting them. 
The practice of propagation by cuttings cannot be much resorted to by those 
who wish their plants to flower, notwithstanding the speedier fertility of the 
offspring thus obtained. Nevertheless, it is well worthy of remembrance that 
those specimens which are decapitated in the summer of their first year's growth, 
bloom with more certainty and in immeasurably greater abundance than such as 
are left to nature. So striking is the difference between plants treated according 
to these different modes, that while a person who had witnessed a subject of the 
former would retain a vivid impress of its splendour on his mind for an indefinite 
period, those of the latter might be passed almost unheeded, owing to the paucity 
of their blossoms. With these advantages, and the additional entail of two, three, 
or more cuttings from the shoot thus reared, together with many others — too weak 
to bear flowers — which may be taken from the plant in a subsequent stage, and 
which would not otherwise be protruded, it is easy to determine which system 
possesses the most cogent recommendations. 
With a mournful pleasure we subjoin Sir W. J. Hookers account of the origin 
of the specific name, as given in the Botanical Magazine. It affords one, among 
many illustrations, of the opportune benevolence in which the late distinguished 
nobleman, whom it commemorates, especially delighted. 
" It was shortly before the period of the arrival of the seeds and specimens of 
this plant, that His Grace the Duke of Bedford, with his wonted liberality, con- 
tributed a sum of money, which, had the receiver (Mr. Drummond) continued in 
health, would have materially assisted in forwarding his views in Florida, but 
which was no less available in a period of pain and sickness immediately preceding 
his lamented death ; and I am sure that in dedicating this splendid plant to so 
distinguished a patron of science, I shall have the approbation of every botanist 
and every lover of horticulture." 
iEscHYNANTHUS ramosissimus. All who possess this beautiful object will be 
gratified to learn, that so far from being, as usually considered, an extremely shy 
bloomer, it is one of the most abundant flowering plants within our knowledge. 
The only apparent reason why it has not blossomed freely in those collections 
wherein it has for some time past been grown, is, that cultivators had not discovered 
the most congenial mode of management. As very few are even now enlightened 
on this point, we shall briefly relate the treatment bestowed by Messrs. Rollison, 
Tooting, and its result. 
In the spring of 1839, when all danger from frost had ceased, a great number 
of plants of this species, varying in height from six inches to a foot, were placed, 
