OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
71 
the abundance of dark brown spots on its stems, and by its emarginate foliage. In 
the orchidaceous house of Messrs. Loddiges it is now exhibiting its showy blossoms. 
Hovea p^ngens. — With the graceful habit of an Epacris, this handsome 
plant possesses all the beauty for which its congeners are so deservedly admired. 
It has small, linear, thickly-set foliage, which terminates in a sharp point ; and the 
■flowers, with which its stems are profusely studded, are of a deep and brilliant 
blue colour. It is destitute of all that dulness of hue, both in foliage and blossoms, 
which detracts from the interest of some other species, and in this respect is 
equal to any previously known, being, however, more diminutive in all its parts. 
Messrs. Rollison possess a plant of it now blooming in their greenhouse ; and it is 
admirably suited for mingling with the species of Ejpacris, or other early flowering 
plants. 
Pimelea inc ana. — We again request attention to this plant, which is also 
known under the name of P. nivea, on account of its remarkably ornamental 
habits. It is well known that most species of this extremely interesting genus, 
by producing their flowers only from the summits of the stems, become unsightly 
after they attain a certain age, and cannot be employed effectively unless so placed 
among other plants as to conceal their naked stems. A very extraordinary spe- 
cimen of the present species is now in flower at the nursery of Messrs. Low and 
Co., Clapton, which, although more than ten feet high, is covered with foliage, 
branches, and blossoms, down to its very base. The branches being of a half- 
pendent nature, exhibit their terminal clusters of beautiful white blossoms most 
favourably : and it has rarely fallen to our lot to witness a more attractive object 
than the plant, thus in full blossom, presents. 
OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
In all extensive collections of plants, there is generally a certain period, at the 
opening of the spring season, set apart for shifting those of them which are culti- 
vated in pots. Some have thought fit to decry this practice, as being inconsistent 
with that discriminative treatment which plants of such varied habits require ; and 
undoubtedly there are a few species to which the operation at the present time is 
wholly needless, indeed detrimental. These instances apart, the fact of vegetation 
renewing its growth at this period, is alone sufficient to warrant the prevailing 
system, and to prove its propriety. 
The precise time at which potting should be commenced, is too frequently deter- 
mined by the date of the month, instead of the peculiar progress of the season, and 
the consequent state of vegetation. Whether artificial heat be employed to induce 
growth, or whether, as is much better, where practicable, plants be allowed to 
remain till naturally excited, it is an infallible maxim that they should not be re- 
potted till some enlargement or development of their organs is apparent. This 
would certainly render the operation somewhat more desultory, but the principal 
deviation from the usual system would be in the week of its commencement. 
