TUG FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
327 
their roots examined, giving a small shift, taking care to clear away 
all sour and bad soil. When the plants have made a moderate 
growth, sufficient to afford a good display of blossom, they may be 
removed to a cooler and drier situation, but it is unsafe to trust 
Gornpholobiums out of doors ; and they are so prolific of blossom 
when kept m growing condition that they will repay the protection 
of glass. For soil, take good turfy peat, broken up into pieces 
about the size of garden beans, rejecting all but the prime fibry por- 
tions, and add about one-fourth of sharp silver-sand, and a liberal 
allowance of potsherds, broken small ; well mix them together, and 
be careful to have it in a nice moist, healthy state, when wanted for 
use. J7o care in providing for the escape of water through the soil 
will be sufficient to effect the purpose unless the same object is kept 
in view in crocking the pots, and also in the operations of shifting ; 
and unless thoroughly efficient drainage is secured, success need 
hardly be expected. Beginners will also do well not to apply water 
carelessly whenever the surface of the soil appears dry, without 
ascertaining whether the mass is in that condition, and also to avoid 
giving small drops frequently. Give a thorough watering when 
necessary, and no more until it is really wanted again. 
GEISSOMERIA LOInGIFLORA. 
HE spikes of bright scarlet flowers which terminate every 
shoot of a well-managed specimen of this Acanthad, and 
which have the advantage of being produced during the 
dull months of winter, make it a plant of no ordinary 
value. Its only fault is its straggling habit ; but by 
placing several small plants in a large pot, and keeping the shoots 
regularly stopped and tied out, this difficulty is easily overcome. 
Cuttings made of moderately linn portions of the current season’s 
wood root freely if planted in well-drained pots, filled with light 
sandy soil, covered with a glass, and placed in a gentle bottom- 
heat. They should be got in sufficiently early in the season to allow 
of their getting well-established in 7-inch pots in the course of the 
summer, which, with ordinary accommodation may be effected after 
April. When sufficiently rooted, pot them two in 5-inch pots, and 
afford them a close, rather warm, moist situation, until they get 
well established, when they may be stopped, and allowed a freer 
circulation of air ; shift into 7-inch pots as soon as the roots require 
more space, and keep the plants growing slowly during the summer 
months, keeping them close to the glass, and regularly stopped, so 
as to induce a bushy habit ; they should be sparingly supplied with 
water during winter, and they may be placed in the warm end of a 
greeuhouse, where, if not over watered, they will be quite safe. 
When the wood appears well ripened, cut back the shoots, leaving 
about two pair of eyes on each, and keep the soil very dry until the 
time for starting the plants into growth. In order to obtain very 
large specimens, the plants should be placed in growing circum- 
November. 
