THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
329 
The soil for the Balsam can hardly be too rich ; it should consist 
of about two parts nice friable turfy loam, and one of two-year-old 
cow-dung, with a sprinkling of sharp sand, well incorporated with 
it before using. 
PASSIFLORA KERMESHSTA. 
LTHOTTGH Passion flowers cultivated in pots and trained 
on trellises cannot be managed so as to exhibit the 
graceful elegance for which the genus is so much 
admired, when grown under more natural circumstances, 
1 yet some of the delicate varieties, and this one more 
especially, may be easily trained so as to induce them to assume a 
very pleasing appearance. This species is, moreover, a very free 
bloomer in a small state, producing a profusion of blossoms which, 
for brilliancy of colour, are hardly surpassed by any of the more 
robust growers. It is thus very suitable for those whose accommo- 
dation is limited. If healthy young plants in six-inch pots are pro- 
cured at once, placed in a moist growing temperature, and kept 
growing during the present autumn, till they have become well- 
established in eight-inch pots, they will form good-sized flowering 
specimens during the comiug season. As early in autumn as the 
plants shall have filled their pots with roots, and made a moderate 
growth, remove them to a light, airy situation, where the night 
temperature may average from 4o° to 50°, and supply water to the 
soil sparingly, in order to get the wood well ripened. As soon as 
this is effected, cut back the shoots rather closely, and after this, 
until it is wanted to start them into growth, give no more water at 
the root than will suffice to prevent the soil from becoming powdery 
dry, and during this period the plants will he perfectly safe in a 
warm part of the greenhouse. 
Early in February, or as soon after as convenient, remove them 
to a light part of a pit or house, where a nice growing temperature is 
maintained; and if a gentle bottom-heat is at command, this will 
greatly assist in starting them into vigorous growth without loss of 
time. Give sufficient water to the soil to bring it into a moist 
healthy condition, and sprinkle the plants overhead frequently, to 
induce them to break close and freely. When the roots get into 
an active state, it will be necessary to give a shift, and see that this 
is done as soon as it is required, otherwise weakly growth will be 
the result of allowing them to remain in small pots in bottom-heat. 
Stop any shoot that may take any decided lead of the others, and 
continue this practice until the specimen is well furnished with 
healthy shoots of about equal strength, after which the trellis 
should be applied, and the shoots kept regularly tied up until it is 
nicely covered, after which the ends of the shoots may be allowed 
to hang down loosely. A vigorous-growing young Larch plant, with 
branches left on, makes a very suitable support, but where proper 
wire frames can be procured, these have a neater appearance, and 
August. 
