THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
219 
to induce growth, giving a shift if necessary. Good turfy peat, with 
a very small proportion of light sandy turfy loam, must be used for 
the growth of this plant. The peat and loam should be broken up 
into bits about tbe size of a garden bean, and to three parts of this 
soil add one of sharp silver-sand, with a sprinkling of charcoal or 
broken potsherds. Be careful to secure efficient drainage, and never 
repot unless the ball is in a healthy, moist state, and the soil to be 
used in the same condition. 
SILENE LACINIATA. 
/THOUGH now seldom met with in collections, and 
hardly ever in a condition indicative of its being a 
favourite, this is a very useful subject for autumn 
decoration, especially where there is a little accommo- 
dation for the culture of plants that require a warm 
temperature. Properly managed specimens are thickly studded 
from July to the middle of October with bright scarlet, singularly 
shaped blossoms, which contrast well with the dark-green foliage, 
and with most other plants, producing a striking and very 
pleasing effect. The best time for taking cuttings is when the 
plants are in active growth ; and short-jointed shoots, firm but not 
hard, should be chosen for the purpose. They should he inserted 
in light sandy soil, covered with a bell-glass, and placed in a close 
shady pit for a fortnight, and if then afforded a very gentle bottom- 
heat, they will soon emit roots and start into growth. Nothing is 
more injurious to this plant than a close, moist, warm atmosphere, 
and as soon as the cuttings show that they are rooted, remove the 
glasses. Inure them to light and air, and get them somewhat 
hardened before potting singly in small pots ; and when this is done, 
place them in a shady corner of a cold frame, with a moist, but not 
warm atmosphere. As soon as they have become established after 
potting, stop them, to induce compact bushy growth, and place them 
near the glass, merely screening them from the direct rays of the 
sun for a few hours on the forenoons of bright, hot days, and admit 
air freely by raising the sashes at the back ; but avoid drying 
curreuts, which would be the case were the sashes raised back and 
front. With good management, plants propagated early will be 
ready for a shift early in August, which should be given as soon as 
necessary, and every means used to keep them in vigorous health 
during the growing season. On the occurrence of damp cloudy 
weather in autumn, remove them to a situation in the greenhouse 
where they may enjoy all the light possible, without being exposed 
to currents of cold, drying, or damp, foggy air, and give no more 
water to the soil in winter than will suffice to keep them in a healthy 
state. About the middle of March, remove the plants to a light, 
rather moist pit or frame, where the temperature may average 
from 40^ to 45° at night, allowing it to rise to 55° or 60° before 
giving air. 
July. 
