308 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
may be kept at about 45° by fire-beat, and where the atmosphere 
can be kept moderately dry, without exposing the plants to currents 
of cold air on its entrance into the house. Any excess of moisture 
at the root, or allowing wet to hang about the foliage while the 
plants are in a dormant state, is sure to ruin or disfigure them, 
therefore never apply water to the soil until it is absolutely wanted, 
and then give enough to thoroughly moisten the ball, and avoid 
wetting the foliage, except to remove dust, etc. ; and let this be 
done, when necessary, on the morning of a bright day. In the case 
of plants that grow slowly, and are particularly susceptible of injury 
while in a dormant state (and our present subject is one of these) it 
is found a good practice to start them into growth as early in spring- 
as circumstances will admit, which provides for a long growing sea- 
son, and also for getting the wood well-ripened up early in autumn. 
With the convenience of a light house, or pit, where the tempera- 
ture may range about 55 ° at night, and some 10° higher with sun- 
shine and air, thpre will be no danger in starting the Roella into 
growth early in February, as after this season, with proper atten- 
tion, strong vigorous growth will be easily secured. Before placing 
the plants in circumstances to excite growth, prune away any weakly 
or disfigured points of the shoots, and if the pots are full of healthy 
roots, give a small shift ; but unless the roots really require more 
space, is will be safer to defer shifting until growth has commenced. 
Iu potting, use the very best fibrous peat, broken up into small 
pieces, and carefully selected, with which mix about one-third its 
bulk of sharp silver sand, and a quantity of potsherds, and observe 
to have the ball and soil in a properly moist state, and also to 
thoroughly drain the pots. The fresh soil should be pressed rather 
firmly about the old ball, and for the present be raised a little round 
the outside, to prevent the water running off the old ball through 
it, which is apt to be the case unless provided against. After 
placing the plants in growing circumstances, the same treatment 
will be proper, whether first repotted or not, and the greatest care 
must be exercised in either case, to avoid over-watering until the 
roots get into action. The shoots should be tied or pegged down,, 
to induce the buds towards the base to start, so as to secure bushy 
specimens. If the atmosphere is kept moist it will hardly be safe, 
except on the mornings of bright days, to syringe the plants over- 
head until the sun is sufficiently powerful to soon dry the foliage,, 
but advantage should be taken of every fine morning to moisten 
the wood. When the plants start into free growth, a more liberal 
supply of water will be required ; and as the days lengthen, the 
syringe may be used without fear of injuring the foliage. Consider- 
able care will also be necessary to properly regulate the temperature, 
so as to secure stroug, vigorous growth ; if the latter is found to be 
weakly, remove the plants where air can be freely admitted, until a 
more vigorous root action shall have been induced, and endeavour, 
during the growing season, to regulate the temperature, etc., so as 
to induce rapid strong growth. The best situation in which to 
grow this plant during summer, will be a small pit, the temperature- 
of which may be regulated according to the state of the specimens,. 
