170 HOT-HOUSE — OF REPOTTING, ETC. [May. 
Poinsettia* pulcTierrima. When well cultivated, this is 
truly the most magnificent of all the tropical plants we have 
ever seen ; from December to April it is crowned with 
flowers, surrounding which are bright scarlet whorls of brac- 
teae, frequently measuring twenty-two inches in diameter. 
To grow it to such perfection, we treat it as follows : in April 
we cut the young wood down to within two inches of the wood 
of the preceding year, and reduce the ball of earth, putting it 
into a smaller pot. About the end of May we plant it in the 
open ground, in light rich soil, giving it one or two waterings 
after planting. During summer it will grow three or four feet ; 
about the end of September, it is carefully lifted and potted 
into a large-sized pot, and put into the hot-house, carefully 
shading it for a few days — when it requires no more attention 
except a regular supply of water, and to be kept in a tempe- 
rature of from 55° to 75°. There is also a pale yellow, brac- 
teced variety j but we are not aware of its being for sale in 
this country. When the plant is grown in pots during sum- 
mer, it must be repotted every month to encourage its rapid 
growth. (Soil No. 18.) 
Poli/spora axillaris, once called Camellia axillaris, though 
in appearance it has no characteristic of a Camellia, and has 
been frequently killed in the green-house by being too cold 
for its nature ; leaves oblong, obovate, toward the extremity 
serrulate. The leaves on the young wood are entire. Flowers 
white j petals a little notched. It is worthy of a situation in 
every collection. (Soil No. 11.) 
Pterospermum, five species of plants that have very 
curiously-constructed flowers, of a white colour, and fragrant,; 
the foliage is of a brown rusty nature, and, before expansion, 
silvery-like. P. suberifblium is in several of our collections, 
and esteemed. P. semisai/i/tdtmn has fringed bracteae ; 
leaves oblong, acuminate, entire, saggitate on one side. (Soil 
No. 11.) 
Rliapis, a genus of palms that will grow very freely with 
heat and room at the roots. P. fiabdlifurmis is an erect 
* Named by Professor Graham, of Edinburgh, in compliment to 
the Hon. J. R. Poinsett (late Secretary of War), who introduced the 
plant in 1828 to this country from Mexico, while he was Minister 
Plenipotentiary to that Republic. He also, at the same time, intro- 
duced a rich and valuable collection of Cactte. 
