THE FLOKAL WOULD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 
371 
STYPHELIA TUBIFLORA. 
LANTS which bloom in winter and early spring, if but 
of ordinary merit, must be set down as valuable, inas- 
much as they assist in furnishing a supply of cut bloom, 
and keeping the flower-house gay at a season when 
blossoms are scarce, and therefore more prized than at 
other periods of the year. But the fine habit, the elegantly-shaped 
and variously-coloured blossoms with which this plant is covered for 
some two mouths together, would render it a favourite, even if it 
could be had in bloom only at the season when blossoms are most 
plentiful. Although not difficult to propagate, like most hard- 
wooded plants, this roots but slowly ; and as good plants may be 
purchased from the nursery for a trifle, perhaps its propagation had 
better be left to the trade. In choosing, be careful to select healthy 
dwarf, bushy plants ; winter them in a light, airy part of the green- 
house, giving a careful supply of water, beyond which they will 
require very little attention at this season. About the middle of 
March turn them carefully out of their pots, and if the balls are 
well filled with healthy, active roots, shift into pots two sizes larger 
than those in which they have been growing. After potting place 
them in the warmest end of a greenhouse, or in an intermediate 
house, where the night temperature may range about 50° or 55°, 
and where a moist growing atmosphere can be maintained to promote 
a vigorous root action and a free growth. The shoots should be 
nicely tied out, bending down the points so as to regulate the flow 
of the sap, and prepare the buds on the lower part of the shoots for 
starting into growth. Having given a liberal shift, there will be 
some danger fora time, of overwatering the soil, or allowing it to 
become too dry, either of which errors w.ould greatly injure if not 
ruin the specimen. These dangers, however, are easily avoided by 
having the soil and the ball in a nice moist healthy state at the time 
the operation is performed, making the fresh soil pretty firm about 
the old ball, and syringing the plants overhead morning and evening 
until the roots get hold of the fresh soil, after which they will 
require a liberal supply of water at the roots. When free growth 
commences, any over-strong shoot should be cut back if necessary, 
to secure a close bushy form of growth ; but if the shoots are tied 
out as directed, cutting back will hardly be necessary in the case of 
well-grown young plants. A higher temperature than that already 
directed should not be maintained by means of fire-heat, and when 
free growth has commenced air should be freely admitted on every 
favourable occasion. In summer this plant enjoys a moist atmos- 
phere, slight shade from the mid-day sun, and a free circulation of 
air, without exposure to drying winds ; and perhaps a cold frame 
affords the most convenient situation for securing these conditions. 
By placing a stratum of small coal ashes, six inches deep, in the 
bottom of the frame, water is absorbed, and given off in the form of 
atmospheric moisture whenever the air becomes dry, and by raising 
the lights on the sheltered side, a circulation of moist air is secured 
Dacomber. 
