56 
THE PLANT STOVE. 
this would cause the flower-buds to drop off 
without expanding ; of course, it is not in- 
tended that the soil is to be kept saturated 
with wet : this is the opposite extreme from 
want, or too limited a supply. 
THE PLANT STOVE. 
Owing to the greater degree of heat which 
is kept up here, the plants will naturally be 
more inclined to commence growing than 
those in the green-house ; but, except in the 
case of those which are required to grow or 
bloom at some particular period, before the 
natural season, this disposition must be re- 
pressed, by avoiding more heat than is abso- 
lutely necessary, by admitting as much air as 
is consistent with the health of the ptents, and 
limiting the supply of moisture, both in the 
atmosphere and at the roots. This applies 
more fully to the woody plants than to her- 
baceous ones. 
Temperature, Sfc. — In dull weather, the 
temperature recommended at p. 10 will be 
quite sufficient ; but if the weather is fine, 
clear, and sunny, two or three degrees more 
may be allowed. Still keep the temperature 
at night lower than by day. Air must be. 
admitted here chiefly to regulate the tempe- 
rature. Avoid currents, or draughts of air, 
at any time, except when it is very soft and 
mild, which is not the case at this time of 
year. 
Woody plants. — The greater part of the 
shrubby stove plants are better kept at rest 
till the next month, unless the weather is very 
favourable indeed for growth ; in which case 
they may be potted, if requisite, towards the 
end of the present month, and set to grow, by 
being placed on, or plunged, where they will 
receive a very mild degree of bottom heat. 
Such plants as Ixoras require treatment of 
this kind. 
Herbaceous plants. — The different kinds 
of suffruticose, herbaceous, and tuberous-rooted 
plants, such as Achimenes, Gloxinia, Gesnera, 
Niphtea, Justicia, Eranthemum, &c., may all 
be potted, according as they may require it, 
and excited slowly into growth. The plants 
of Achimenes, Gloxinia, &c, which were 
started during last month, will require shift- 
ing into larger pots, and should be placed into 
those they are to flower in : perform the ope- 
ration carefully, so as not to injure the young 
roots. The Achimenes look exceedingly 
pretty, when grown in baskets, and suspended 
above the height of an ordinary individual ; 
they droop down on all sides, and have a very 
good effect. 
Centradenias. — The neat little Centradenia 
rosea, if placed on a warm light shelf, will 
bloom by the middle of January. Cuttings, 
struck early in February, and highly culti- 
vated, will be bushy plants by the end of 
June, at which time they should be in five-inch 
pots, and should be removed from the stove 
to a light and airy green-house shelf. They 
must not be shifted after this, but allowed to 
become rather " pot-bound," and will require 
only moderate waterings, until the end of 
September, when a few may be introduced 
to a stove, or intermediate house, where a 
temperature of 65 to 70 degrees, by day, can 
be given. The rest may follow successively ; 
and it is worthy of particular remark, that 
they do not open well without the influence 
of considerable light ; all forcing them without 
this, is vain. They grow freely in equal parts 
loam, sandy heath soil, and vegetable earth, 
with sand and charcoal. 
Jacarandas. — These, and many other woody 
stove plants, are considered difficult to flower. 
A mode, which is often successful, is to take 
off the head of an old plant, as a cutting, some 
time during the summer, and about this sea- 
son of the year start the youDg plants so 
raised on bottom heat, in a moist atmosphere ; 
such plants often flower, and make pretty 
dwarf specimens. 
Aphclandras, $'c. — Young plants of these, 
and also of Poinsettias, and Euphorbia fulgens, 
raised from single eyes, or short cuttings, 
about the end of this month, and kept growing 
in a cool part of the stove all the summer, 
near the glass, will make nice dwarf flowering 
plants by winter. The cuttings are to be 
rooted in moist heat. Many of the Justicias, 
Eranthemum pulchellum, and some of the 
Begonias, may be similarly treated ; and all 
these will be found exceedingly ornamental 
in the winter months. Eranthemum pulchel- 
lum has fine blue flowers ; those of Justicia 
flavicoma, or calytricha, are. yellow ; Begonia 
Martiana is deep rose pink ; and the Euphor- 
bia fulgens, Poinsettia pulcherrima, and Aphe- 
landra cristata, and aurantiaca, are of various 
shades of red and scarlet. There is a variety 
of the Poinsettia, in which the bracts are 
white : here alone are materials enough for 
no mean display in the winter months. 
Neriums. — Of the Neriums, or Oleanders, 
there are many very handsome varieties, of 
which the single white, the double red, (splen- 
dens,) and a camellia-striped one, called Raya- 
not, are the most striking. Cuttings of the 
upper shoots, rooted in autumn, if brought 
into the stove now, and encouraged to grow, 
will produce large bunches of bloom, and are 
admirably suited to decorate the conservatory, 
or drawing-room. The cuttings root freely 
if their lower ends are placed in a phial of 
water, set in a light place. 
Luculias. — Some persons find difficulty in 
growing these, whilst others speak of their 
culture as though it were a very easy matter : 
