ON THE OXALIS BOWEANA AS A BEDDING-PLANT. 
round our hearts, whicli, from the cradle to the grave, endear us to one anothei', and to Natui-e herself, 
and impress upon us the salemu conviction, that " all that we behold is full of blessings." 
Reader, forgive these words — wild as oui' flowers. They merely tell you of om' love, and they flow 
fi'om the heart. Anon wo will address you, not less ti-uthfiilly, but more practically. 
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ON THE OXALIS BO^VEANA AS A BEDDING-PLANT. 
By Mr. JOHiST COX, G.uidexer to — Wells, Esa., Eedle-vp, Kent. 
KpHE cultm'C of plants, for the pm-pose of planting out in beds for decorating the flower-garden dm-iiig 
I\ summer and the autumn, has, of late years, formed a prominent featm-e in the gardener's rou- 
tine of operations ; and, as it may not be generally known that the Oxalis Boweana forms one of the 
most desirable plants, of any that we possess, for a dwarf bed, I am induced to offer a few remarks on 
its preparation for that pm-pose, being con^dnced that any one who may feel disposed to give it a ti'ial 
will not be disappointed. The fohage itself is peculiarly beautiful ; and the dehcate pink blossoms, 
mider judicious treatment, are produced in great profusion until desti'oyed by the fi'ost. 
At any time dm'uig the latter end of the present month, or the fii'st week in the next, select the 
finest tubers, and pot them singly into foui'-inch pots, in a mixtm'e of thi'ee parts sandy loam and leaf 
mould, and one part peat, di-aining the pots well, and putting a httle moss over the di-auiage. The pots 
should then be x^laccd in a fi-ame mth a moderate bottom-heat, and a temperatm-e rangmg about 60 
degrees ; or, if there is not that convenience, they may be placed in the early ^onery, or any sti'ucture 
where a regular temperatm-e not lower than the above is maintained. They will be a long time La 
jn-oducing their fohage, and, until they do so, they must not be snpphed with more water than -^dll 
suffice to keep the soil in a moderately moist state, but little removed ii-om dryness. As the season 
advances, and the pots become filled with fibres, they will requu-e more. "MTien the foliage appears, 
let them be placed near the glass to prevent di-awLng ; and, as the growth proceeds, ti'eat them, occa- 
sionally, with a httle clear diluted manm-e water. 
Ha-s-ing got the plants well up, heat is no longer necessary ; and the next consideration is, to inm-e 
them, gradually, to bear the open aii', which may be done by removing them, first, to a shelf in the green- 
house near the glass, and, eventually, to a cold frame or pit, giving abundance of air, and a free exposm-e 
in favourable weather. 
The last week in May, or fh-st in June, is the time to plant them in the bed, which should have been 
previously prepared for the pm-pose, by di-ainuig, if not previously well-di-ained, and by receiving a 
compost of the above-described soil. It should be situated in a sheltered place, but exposed to the sun. 
The plants should be planted quuicunx fashion, at a distance not exceeding a foot apart. The soil, 
after planting, mU requii-e to be stu-red occasionally ; and seasonable appUcations of clear hquid 
manm-e ^vill produce abundant luxm-iant foliage, and large flowers. 1 do not doubt but that, upon 
trial, it -will be considered a desirable acquisition. 
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