132 
CULTURE OF FUCHSIAS. 
The avoidance, too, of a considerable amount of trouble and uncertainty, is doubtless 
another of the desiderata realized by such a measure. 
But before remarking further on the out-door treatment of this genus, we must 
touch upon the best method of growing some of the species in pots. The sorts which 
adapt themselves most readily to pot- culture, are globosa and its varieties, conica , 
macrosiemon with its varieties, excorticate cylindracea , microphylla , and lycioides. 
The numerous hybrids raised by cross impregnation amongst these species and F. 
coccinea , gracilis , and tenella , may be ranked in the above enumeration with regard 
to culture. These hybrids, indeed, have, by their striking beauty, almost 
supplanted their original parents ; though F, globosa , at least, retains all the interest 
it at first occasioned. 
Besides the foregoing species, and some of recent introduction which we shall 
hereafter name, many others are recorded in botanical catalogues, the actual existence 
of which at this time in Britain is somewhat problematical ; and scores of appel- 
lations are to be met with in nurseries and gardens, which have been injudiciously 
applied to hybrids that have scarcely any or no distinguishing characters. For the 
most part, these assimilate so closely in habit to one or other of the preceding, that 
no peculiar attention is requisite. To retain these species in equal beauty and 
vigour year after year, the main circumstances to be taken into account are to renew 
them at the end of every three or five years, to allow their roots a sufficient space 
in the pots, and to take care that they are not stinted for water, or their tender 
rootlets scorched by the rays of the sun in the summer months. 
Unless it be the special intention of the culturist to procure very tall specimens, 
or to train them in a particular manner, young plants are always to be preferred to 
old ones ; chiefly because they bloom finer and more abundantly, and partly, like- 
wise, on account of the ragged, rambling character which large specimens assume. 
Thus, both j F. globosa and conica — the two most ornamental of the species — will, 
after about five years’ culture, become straggling, degenerate, and be deprived of 
much of their healthy appearance. It may be stated, also, that their flowers lose 
that brilliant, lustrous hue which so greatly adds to their charms. 
With the hybrid kinds, degeneracy is still more inevitable, and the necessity for 
providing a fresh stock every few years additionally stringent. Producing mostly 
larger blossoms and handsomer foliage than the species — such superiority being 
caused by nutritive soil, or other favourable conditions of cultivation — when their 
branches acquire an excessive hardness or woodiness, such as three or four years’ 
growth will impart, their former strength is reduced, and they fall back into the 
state from which they sprung. 
What contributes largely to promote a similar feebleness, both of foliage and 
inflorescence, and to give a starved, stunted aspect to the plants, is the neglect to 
shift them properly and timely into larger pots as they may require. ' And it is 
herein that the amazing difference between a potted plant and one growing in a free 
soil is rendered apparent. With the roots crowded together in too small a compass, 
