190 
THE ELOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 
THE APHE LEXIS. 
HE varieties of this useful genus are all rather free 
growers, and, with moderate care, form compact, band- 
some specimens ; but, like the majority of hard-wooded 
plants, they are apt to suffer much from improper treat- 
ment — such as over- watering during winter ; allowing 
the soil to become dry in hot weather ; exposing them, when in a 
soft state, to sudden atmospheric changes ; allowing them to become 
pot-bcund, and permitting them to remain several months in that 
condition ; thus giving them a large shift, and applying water care- 
lessly afterwards. 
Cuttings made of firm young wood root freely enough, as does 
also bits of ripe wood having several shoots. They should be put 
in early in spring, planted in very sandy peat, covered with a bell- 
glass, placed in a temperature of about 55°, and, if properly cared 
for as regards water, and guarded from damp, they will soon emit 
roots. If ripe pieces of wood are used, they will be longer in 
emitting roots than young cuttings, but they will form plants sooner. 
Beginners will save time, however, by procuring young plants from 
the nursery at once; and if strong dwarf little ones are obtained, 
they are well worth what they usually cost. Supposing young 
plants to be obtained now (although too late to get a good season’s 
growth), let them be placed in a cold frame or pit — or near the 
glass in the greenhouse will do — and be screened from the full force 
of the mid-day sun, and afforded a moist growing atmosphere. If 
the pots are moderately filled with active roots, give a shift at once 
into pots one or two sizes larger, according to the health and vigour 
of the plants. Keep the atmosphere rather close, and as moist as 
can conveniently be done, for a fortnight after shifting, and give 
water to the soil sparingly until the roots strike into the fresh 
material. As soon as they have become fairly established after potting, 
they should be freely exposed to air, night and day, merely screen- 
ing them from the mid-day sun, and shutting them up for a few hours 
in the evening, after syringing them ; but the night dews will be 
beneficial ; and, if in a cold pit, the lights may be drawn off at night, 
except when there is any indication of a storm. Stopping and 
regulating the shoots must also be attended to, and most of the 
varieties require frequent stopping ; but this should not be done 
immediately after shifting, nor until the roots have struck into the 
fresh soil ; and it is advisable to manage so that the plants may 
make a moderate growth iu autumn, after the last stopping. The 
atmosphere should be cool and rather dry after the middle of Sep- 
tember, and by the end of the month the plants should be removed 
to their winter quarters, for which purpose a front shelf in the 
greenhouse will be found the best. During winter water must be 
applied carefully, and rather sparingly, for if given in excess at this 
season the plants will be ruined. As early in spring as may be con- 
venient remove them to a situation where they can be afforded a 
temperature of about 50°, with a moist growing atmosphere, and as 
