TREATMENT OF LEYCESTERIA FORMOSA. 
15 
some similar material, over tlie ground above their roots, they can be preserved 
with the most perfect ease. And there cannot be a doubt that every greenhouse 
plant at all related to them in habit, would thrive equally well under the same 
treatment. 
Another group, comprising all the species known by the name of herbaceous 
plants, is strikingly suitable for planting in borders. The beautiful tender species 
of Pentslemon would make a conspicuous feature in the collection ; but, being ever- 
greens, there is some difficulty in conserving them during the winter season. The 
best plan for sheltering such plants, would be to erect a trifling temporary frame of 
wood over the border in the autumn, and throw mats or other coverings over it 
when the frost is severe. Probably a covering of pitched canvas would be the most 
serviceable ; for this would exclude both heavy rains and frost, and the former are 
ofttimes the most dangerous. 
The last class to be named includes a variety of bulbous plants, such as several 
species of Amaryllis , Nerine , Calostemma , &c. ; with a quantity of corms from the 
genera Gladiolus , Tigridia , Ixia , &c. To prevent that disagreeable blankness 
which would occur at stated periods, were these plants placed in a compartment by 
themselves, they should be interspersed with other species along the border, and 
taken up yearly, for a few weeks in the autumn. The mode of protection recom- 
mended for herbaceous plants might be adopted very easily in this case likewise. 
A reference has above been made to the advisability of leaving holes in the 
front wall of a greenhouse, that its heat may be admitted to the border. In 
quitting the topic, we shall suggest another use for these apertures. The climbers 
trained up the rafters of a greenhouse are, it is well known, too generally planted 
in tubs, boxes, or beds, where neither the atmosphere nor the sun can ever act upon 
their roots. The consequence is that the soil becomes loaded with stagnant water, and 
an unhealthy state is speedily produced. Our proposition is to plant these climbers 
in the outside border, to introduce their stems at a few inches below the surface of 
the soil into the house through the apertures we have mentioned, and thus render 
the plants at once healthy, luxuriant, and prolific of flowers. 
TREATMENT OF LEYCESTERIA FORMOSA. 
From the great lack of handsome dwarf deciduous shrubs in British gardens, 
and their deeply interesting nature, it is to be presumed that every valuable 
accession will be highly prized. There are not wanting, it is true, multitudes of 
the kind belonging to certain classes, and of this the Rose and Azalea afford 
excellent proof. But it will be admitted that a much more extensive variety of 
forms than we yet possess, and such as are capable of being cultivated in a simple 
manner, is a standing desideratum. 
