THE ELOEAL TVORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
281 
selecting the best, add a liberal mixture of sharp sand, broken pots- 
herds, or small pieces of charcoal, to insure the free percolation of 
water through the mass after the fibre has become decayed. 
PEXTAS CARNEA. 
HIS desirable plant, though not of very recent intro- 
duction, is deserving of especial notice, on account of 
its excellent habit of flowering long and freely, and also 
because it is exceedingly easy to manage. Its numerous 
trusses of delicate rose-coloured blossoms will be found 
very useful where cut flowers are much wanted. 
The best time for propagating young plants is during. spring, 
or the early part of summer. The cuttings should be taken oif 
when ttvo or three inches long, with a bit of the old wood attached. 
These should be inserted in a well-drained pot filled with a light 
sandy compost, and afterwards placed in a close hotbed, frame, or 
pit, where a warm atmosphere and a little bottom-heat can be 
obtained. In this situation, with due regard to watering, shading, 
etc., in a few weeks the cuttings will become well rooted, when they 
may be potted singly into three or four-inch pots, and replaced in a 
warm situation, as near the glass as possible. A temperature of 
from 60° to 65° will suit them well. With favourable weather, a 
gradual increase of air should be given, shading slightly in bright 
weather, if necessary, and syringing overhead on sunny afternoons. 
As they advance in growth, the principal shoots should be topped, 
and the plants repotted as the pots become filled with roots, 
observing that they should be topped a few days before or after 
potting, so as not to check the progress of the roots and branches at 
one time. If cuttings are rooted early in spring, by July they 
should be good compact bushes, in nine or ten-inch pots. If now 
large enough to suit the purpose of the cultivator, they may be 
allowed to flower, by discontinuing the stopping. 
As the flower shoots advance, a little attention is requisite to 
tying out, or otherwise supporting them in an erect position. 
When in bloom the plants may, if required, be removed to a cool 
situation, where, if protected from cold winds, they will continue a 
long time in beauty. After flowering, I place them in a cool dry 
house, and during winter give only sufficient water to keep the 
foliage in health. Towards February or March, or earlier if required, 
I remove them to a warm house, previously pruning the branches 
into a compact form. When they have started into growth, the 
roots should be examined, and, if necessary, a shift given into larger 
pots. Stopping may now be continued only as long as it may be 
desirable to increase the size of the plant, which will be in flower in 
six or seven weeks after the last stop. If pruned back after the 
flowers are faded, a second and third crop of blossoms may be 
September. 
