THE ELORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
68 
what might be expected from such unkind treatment — a few sickly 
looking leaves on the top of long straggling branches, and looking 
altogether as if it would say, “ Give me air or I shall die.” But 
under the influence of more generous treatment how different its 
aspect — round bushy plants, with brauches covered with foliage of a 
healthy dark green, and exhibiting fine trusses of highly fragrant 
flowers during the most dreary part of the year, from the end of 
October till the middle of February ; and be it remembered, without 
any forcing, except the protection afforded by a cool greenhouse. 
To those who would encourage the cultivation of this fine old 
plant, I would (in the absence of anything better) recommend the 
following simple mode of management, as having succeeded tolerably 
well at this place. As soon as the plants have done flowering, 
remove them to a cold pit, vinery not at work, greenhouse, or any 
other structure, where they can be placed in such a manner that 
they shall not be shaded or crowded by taller plants. In general 
those which have been standing in the drawing-room will have 
suffered in some degree from the dry, close atmosphere ; more 
especially if they have been allowed to remain there for any length 
of time after having dene flowering, for at that time they commence 
growing, and the young shoots, from want of light and air, will be 
drawn up weak and long jointed. This ought to be prevented by 
removing them before all the flowers have quite fallen off. 
If the plants were properly attended to the previous summer, 
and the points of the shoots pinched out where the plants wanted 
filling up, it is not advisable at this period to resort to pruning or 
cutting back; as young shoots spring in abundance immediatelv 
below where the flowers were produced, and alwa\ r a flower much 
better than shoots out of older wood. But in special cases, when 
plants have from neglect been allowed to run up with naked stems, 
cutting them down to within six inches of the pot is perhaps the 
best way of reclaiming them. As this Daphne does not make very 
large roots, it has therefore the very desirable property of being 
capable of thriving in pots comparatively small for the size of the 
plant. Yet it is necessary about the end of March or beginning of 
April to ascertain if any of them require shifting, which, if properly 
executed, will be quite sufficient till the next spring. Old plants, 
however, which it is not desirable to increase much in size, will do 
well for two, and sometimes three years without shifting. The soil 
I have found to suit them best is a mixture of light turfy loam, 
sandy peat, and well decomposed leaf-mould, in about equal quantities, 
together with what is indispensable to success under any circum- 
stances — a through drainage, to ensure a free passage for the escape 
of superfl uous water. 
After having been shifted and arranged it will be better to keep 
them for a short time a little closer than usual, till the roots begin 
to lay hold of the fresh soil ; and most particularly to guard against 
over- watering, till the roots have found their wmy to the sides of the 
pots, otherwise the soil will become sodden, and the roots perish in 
consequence. As a general rule, at this stage no more water ought 
to be given than just sufficient to keep the plauts from flaggiug. 
