THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
107 
than the stronger specimen; both were planted in the conservatory the 
following spring, where they have been so satisfactory that I have 
never cared to attempt cultivating it as a pot plant. Those, however, 
who possess a conservatory or greenhouse, where climbers can be 
grown, will find the rafters the best possible situation for its growth, 
especially if the roof of the house is kept close, and the roots can be 
afforded a moderate space in a border composed of light sandy loam, 
which is the soil I would also recommend for its pot culture. 
Whether in pots or turned out in the conservatory border, the soil 
should be kept dry after flowering, and till it may be desired to start 
the plants into growth in spring, and severe pruning is absolutely ne- 
cessary to keep the plant within bounds ; the young wood should be 
cut back to the last joint, except in the case of plants that may not have 
attained the desired size, and plenty of water should be given to keep 
the border in a healthy, moist condition during the growing and 
flowering seasons. It is readily propagated by means of cuttings of 
the shortest jointed wood, taken when rather firm, and planted in 
light, sandy soil, covered with a glass, and placed in a gentle bottom- 
heat ; but the plant seeds very freely, and thus affords an easy means 
of increasing it to auy extent. 
THE CINERARIA. 
HERE do we find a plant, which during the autumn, 
winter, and early spring months, is so gay aud beautiful 
as this ; or one which is so useful for exhibition or 
decorative purposes, or for the embellishment of the 
flower- vase or bouquet ? By gas or candle-light the 
colours of some of the rose, crimson, and purple varieties are 
extremely brilliant ; while the white varieties, margined with the 
preceding colours, are matchless. Add to this, that many of the 
kinds are agreeably fragrant, and you have nearly all the qualities 
which constitute a useful flower. In treating of the Cineraria as a 
plant for exhibition, or of its value for decorative purposes (and in 
the early part of the season the plants make a fine display), I 
cannot refrain from stating that their cultivation should be much 
improved, and, indeed, must be before they will assume their wonted 
standing upon our exhibition-tables. Only a few years ago 
Cinerarias were but a set of poor, starry things, with narrow, flimsy 
petals, and flowers supported by tall, unsightly stems ; but now, 
thanks to the march of improvement, the best varieties arc dwarf 
and compact, and when properly grown, produce perfect trusses of 
stout, and, in some few cases, of almost perfectly-formed flowers. 
When high cultivation is aimed at, peculiar treatment (which I shall 
presently describe) is required to produce stout, healthy cuttings, 
as from such the Cineraria can only be properly grown. As the 
plant is now in bloom, and seedlings will be required, a few of the 
most esteemed varieties should be selected for that purpose, bearing 
April. 
