THE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
344 
Handsome wire structures are now prepared at low prices bv 
manufacturers of borticultural'ornaments, and these, when made to 
span paths, break angles, or heighten the interest of an object seen 
through them, are extremely useful. There are all sorts of climbers 
suitable for these arches, such as the aristolochia, clematis, ever- 
green, and Boursault roses, “creeper-vine, and many rapid-growing 
and free-flowering annuals. 
[(To be continued.') 
PHCENOCOMA PROLIFERUM. 
HIS is, perhaps, the most useful of the everlastings, and 
also one of the most attractive of hardy greenhouse 
plants. It is by no means a difficult plant to manage, 
but somehow the majority of cultivators do no good 
with it, for a fine specimen of it is rarely seen, except 
where growers are within the influence of the metropolitan exhibi- 
tions. The most probable cause of the many failures experienced 
with this plant is, that it will not submit to the starving system 
without losing its bottom leaves ; and in order to counteract its 
naturally somewhat thin and erect habit of growth, it must be 
perseveiingly stopped, or cut back, as may be requisite to secure a 
close bushy habit. Beginners should procure well-established strong 
bushy plants, in five-inch pots, which will afford a fair opportunity 
of producing handsome specimens, and will be a considerable saving 
of time compared with obtaining young plants from cuttings. 
Every care should be exercised, however, to secure well propagated, 
vigorous, healthy plants; for there are many examples of this plant 
in nurseries which are only fit for the rubbish heap. In March, 
the plants should be examined at the root, and if the pot is tolerably 
well filled with healthy active roots, give a moderate shift, using 
prime rich fibry peat, broken up into small pieces, not larger than a 
garden bean, carefully intermixed with about one-third its bulk of 
clear sharp silver-sand, and some lumpy bits of charcoal. In potting, 
use plenty of drainage well arranged, and be sure to have the ball, 
etc., in a proper state as to moisture, and make the fresh soil rather 
firm in the pot to prevent the water from passing off too freely 
Through it. After potting, place it in the closest part of the green- 
house, or in a pit which can be kept rather warmer than the ordinary 
greenhouse, and give a very careful supply of water until the roots 
lay hold of the fresh soil. When grow th becomes apparent after 
potting, the shoots should be cut back as much as may appear 
necessary to secure a close bushy growth, and after cutting back 
they should be nicely tied out, keeping them as open as possible, in 
order to admit light and air to the foliage. Keep the plant near the 
glass and admit air freely on mild days, for there will be no gain in 
keeping it close and warm, as this would tend to introduce thin 
weakly growth but secure a moist growing atmosphere, and draw 
the syringe lightly over the plant on the afternoons of bright days- 
