330 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
this one, but, as I have frequently observed, there is nothing gained 
by private growers propagating such plants for themselves. Indeed, 
the successful propagation of most greenhouse hard-wooded plants 
requires an amount of skill and experience such as beginners seldom 
possess ; and so much time and careful attention are required to 
produce proper “young stuff,” that where only a plant occasionally 
is wanted, it is cheaper to buy it than to grow it. Persons intend- 
ing to commence the culture of this Coleonema should be in 
the possession of good, healthy, robust, busby plants previous to 
March, w r hich is the proper seat-on for starting into growth such as 
are intended to form large specimens. 
As early in the month as is convenient examine the state of the 
roots ; if they are active and require more space, give a moderate 
shift, using good fibry peat, broken carefully up into small pieces 
about the size of peas, divesting it of all inert soil and fine particles, 
and mixing with it about one-third in bulk of good sharp silver 
sand, small clean potsherds or charcoal, incorporating the whole well 
together. The soil should have been stored in a warm dry place 
ready for use, and should be in a proper state as regards moisture, 
and care should be taken to have the ball of the plant in a kindly 
moist state when the operation of potting is performed. A situation 
near the glass, a temperature of about 45° at night, allowing it to 
rise some 10° with sun-heat and air, and a nice moist atmosphere, 
will be suitable after potting. All newly-potted plants are liable to 
suffer more from the careless application of water than at any ot’ner 
stage of their growth, therefore beginners cannot be too careful to 
avoid over-watering on the one hand, and giving too little on the 
other. The safest way of avoiding these evils is to sprinkle the 
plants over-head and keep the atmosphere rather close and moist 
until the roots lay hold of the fresh soil. When the plants start 
into vigorous growth, air must be admitted freely on every favourable 
occasion, in order to induce compact wood, and the shoots should be 
pinched back as may be necessary witli a view to obtain compact 
specimens. With tiie increase of light and sunshine which the 
lengthening days of April will afford, the temperature may be allowed 
to range a few degrees higher, but the night heat should not be kept at 
more than 45° without a circulation of air, and too much air can hardly 
be given during mild days, and the atmosphere should be kept moist 
by syringing the plants over-head morning and evening, and sprink- 
ling the floors, etc., of the house or pit. As soon as all danger from 
spring frosts and cold cutting winds is over, remove the specimens 
to a cold frame, and guard them against the ill effects of sudden 
changes of temperature, which may occur at this season. If in good 
health the plants will make rapid progress, and will require a second 
shift early in the summer, and such as are growing rapidly, if shifted 
early in June, may be allowed a liberal shift, say into pots two sizes 
larger than those they are in ; but unless they are ready for repotting 
in June it will not be advisable to give more than a small s! ift, so as 
to have the pots well filled w ith roots previous to winter. Tbe same 
soil as recommended for the last shift will be suitable for this, 
except that the peat should not be broken up so small, and similar 
