ON THE CULTURE OF THE ACIIIMENES. 
139 
plant, as an addition to those numerous stars 
of earth that enamel our meadows, that stud 
our hills, and that adorn our gardens and 
green-houses; and no stranger could have met, 
with a warmer reception than that beautiful 
race, the Achimeneacs, that are now, with 
their verdant foliage and bright blooms, vieing 
with other green-house gems; for most interest- 
ing favourites they have proved themselves to 
all who have made their acquaintance ; those 
who have not should lose no time in doing so, 
as they will find them a most invaluable and 
highly interesting acquisition, adorning the 
summer and autumn months with their rich 
profusion of varied-coloured flowers. They 
only require to be known to become generally 
grown ; for both the amazing rapidity and 
facility with which they are increased, place 
every one of them, whether of ancient or of 
recent introduction, within the possession of 
all, at a very trifling expense. 
Those who have green-houses will find them 
most useful, to replace the more hardy plants 
that have been turned out to invigorate them- 
selves in the refreshing gales and reviving 
showers of summer. 
The following will be found, when well 
grown and tastefully arranged, to impart a 
richness to any collection of plants that cannot 
fail to attract the attention of, and delight the 
most careless observer of nature's beauties; 
these are Achimenes Longiflora, A. Grandi- 
flora, A. Coccinea, A. Picta, and, I may add, 
Hirsuta. 
These are the finest and most attractive, 
both on account of foliage and flowers. There 
are others, of recent introduction also ; but 
the above will be found general favourites, 
producing a most brilliant display, from the 
truly beautiful contrast of colours, and the 
variety of ways in which they can be grown. 
Those who are curious in growing them, 
and who have a good stock, may do so, as the 
Orchidacese, suspending them in the house, in 
pots with apertures in their sides for the plants 
to grow through, or in baskets, allowing their 
graceful branches to flow in rich profusion 
over the sides; in short, these elegant and 
ornamental plants are of such easy culture 
that they may be grown in almost any way 
fancy can direct ; still, being natives of a 
warm climate, they will not do without the 
protection of glass, and they luxuriate in a 
warm, moist atmosphere. 
As my object here is more immediately to 
treat of their pot culture, I shall confine my- 
self at present to that which I have found, 
from experience,, to suit remarkably well. As 
for soil, they will grow in any free kind ; the 
fact being, that they are not at all fastidious. 
What I have found well adapted to them is a 
soil formed of ordinary turf's, or a good 
old rich pasture mould, with one-third of 
white sand, one-third leaf mould, of a ripe 
old age, and a little well-rotted stable manure 
added to the whole. This season I intend to 
try the effect of guano upon them, in a liquid 
state, in the proportion of one ounce to one 
gallon of water ; the result, I doubt not, will 
turn out satisfactory. 
The plants, after remaining dormant all 
winter, should be placed under the influence 
of a temperature of between 60 and 70 de- 
grees (Fahrenheit), and slightly watered at 
first, increasing the supply of water as they 
are found to grow. Any one who posses-es a 
warm green-house or frame can easily start 
them ; and having there formed their bud?, 
they will bloom freely in a common green- 
house, or even in a drawing-room, during part 
of the summer and autumn. 
Different gardeners excite them at different 
periods ; I think any time during February is 
quite early enough to begin to grow them. 
Some prefer starting the whole potful before 
separating and removing them ; others care- 
fully turn the scaly bulbs, or roots, out of the 
pots, and selecting the strongest, plant them, 
and then place them in heat ; perhaps this 
latter mode is preferable, as it does not dis- 
turb the young plants, nor endanger their 
roots after they are started and have com- 
menced growing. 
In turning the roots out of the pots where 
they have passed the winter, it will be found 
that they are all formed, and cluster near the 
surface of the soil. Observing this, it oc- 
curred to me that the common pots were not 
quite adapted for them, especially when many 
roots were placed in the same pot, and that a 
pot might be made somewhat between a pot 
and a seed-pan ; I therefore ordered some to 
be made four and a half inches deep, and eight 
and a half inches across the mouth, and some 
smaller, viz. four inches deep and six and a 
half across. 
These pan-pots (so to call them) are not 
nearly so cumbersome and heavy as large, 
common pots, capable of growing the same 
number of plants, are more easily removed 
from place to place, have a more elegant 
appearance, and the Achimenes will be found 
to succeed in them to the most ardent grower's 
expectations. 
Those who have a sufficient number of 
roots may produce a fine effect, by planting in 
these pan-pots roots of Achimenes Grandiflora 
and A. Longiflora, alternately; these two kinds 
growing about the same height, their different- 
coloured flowers contrast beautifully with the 
green foliage. 
These pots are liable to the same objection 
as the common ones, that of being obliged to 
attach the slender stems to sticks; yet these 
