THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
365 
the shoots shortened, cutting out some of the weakly ones, and it 
received no water at the roots for some ten days, and was placed in 
a cool airy position. It was now returned to the house in which it 
was previously grown, freely supplied with water at the root, and 
received the same attention as to pegging down the shoots, with 
the view of equalizing the growth. The weather being now warm, 
the lights were entirely drawn off on bright hot forenoons, but they 
were replaced early in the afternoon, after syringing, thus maintain- 
ing a moist growing atmosphere at night, and whenever it could be 
done, avoiding, at the same time, the etiolating effects of a hot shady 
situation. The buds broke very freely under this treatment, and 
strong short-jointed shoots were produced. In July it bloomed a 
second time, when it produced ninety-two spikes. It was removed 
to the flower-house, and managed, after the decay of the flowers, as 
last time, and, when rested, placed in a mild bottom-heat. The only 
different treatment observed this time was to feed the plant with 
clear weak manure water, which was rendered necessary through 
the pot having become full of roots, and the soil somewhat exhausted ; 
and, as a matter of course, the lights were not removed when the 
weather became so cool as to render this unnecessary. In September 
the plant produced 156 heads of bloom, in which state it was 
exhibited. The soil used was rich fibry peat and loam, in about 
equal proportions, well mixed with sharp gritty sand, and a slight 
sprinkling of bone-dust. Young plants grow so rapidly that, except 
in the event of a large specimen being wanted in bloom early in the 
season, it is never worth while to winter large plants. Were it 
desirable to do so, this plant might be kept growing and blooming 
the whole season round. But the flowers do not colour well in 
winter, and it is impossible at that season to afford the amount of 
air necessary to have compact good specimens. 
SELAGO DISTANS. 
F this plant bloomed in spring or early summer, it would 
probably soon disappear from our collections, for the 
peculiar odour of its foliage is not agreeable to many 
persons, and the flowers being destitute of colour, are 
not particularly striking ; but, notwithstanding these 
little faults, the plant is likely to be long a favourite. Its easy cul- 
ture, free habit of blooming, and the length of time which the plants 
remain in beauty during the dull season, fully entitle it to be con- 
sidered one of the most useful for winter decoration in cultivation. 
Cuttings rooted early in spring, and treated rather closely during 
the summer, will form nice- sized specimens, and bloom profusely 
from the middle of November to the end of January ; but persons 
who wish large specimens, and those with little accommodation for 
growing the plants rapidly, will probably find it better to propagate 
them, and get them well established in five-inch pots the previous 
season. Firm bits of the young wood planted in sandy, peaty soil,, 
December. 
