^fej^^r 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS CHOBOZEMA. 
Having now enumerated a few of the best kinds for late flowering and early forcing, I will add a 
few renrarks on their after treatment. When they get well established in the small pots in which 
they were fii-st potted, and are long enough, say six inches liigh, they should be stopped to cause them 
to throw out their lateral or side shoots, which they will do in a short time at that season of the 
year. When they have made then- shoots, they should be repotted into pots a size larger — 48's, in a 
good rich compost prepared in the following manner : equal parts of good tui'fy loam, peat, and well 
decomposed cow-dung, or, if that is not conveniently to be obtained, horse-dung, with a good portion of 
silver or river sand. The potting may be repeated in the autumn for spring flowering plants, but is 
not ad^dsable for those which are wanted to flower in the autumn, as it will be found to tlii'ow them 
into robust growth, and defeat the object aimed at — flowers. The pots must be well di'ained with pot- 
sherds, or broken oyster shells, for on this much depends for a healty state of the roots. Thin out the 
leaves and small shoots occasionally, to throw the whole of the sap into the strong shoots which will 
produce the finest flowers. The fancy varieties being more delicate growers than the other Idnds, and 
consequently not so strong rooted, will require more di-ainage. A little charred cow-dung, in a rough 
state, just over the potsherds, will be found most beneficial for these. The plants while standing out 
of doors in beds, should be removed now and then to prevent their rooting through the bottom of the 
pots, which will greatly check them when removed, if allowed to do so. When housed, keep the plants 
as near the glass as possible to prevent their drawing. Put in the fii-st lot of plants in the forcing 
house in January, beginning with a moderate heat, and increasing it as the plants show theii- flower 
buds. A heap of soil should now be made for autumn use, in the following manner : — Take equal parts 
of good loam and hot stable manm-e, let the manm-e be well worked until it is properly heated, and 
then put a layer of each alternately. After it has lain about two months turn it, so as to incorporate 
the whole, adding a little rotten cow-dung as you proceed. This, with a little leaf- mould and silver 
sand, win be found to answer every pui-pose for Geraniums and strong growing soft-wooded plants 
generally. 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS CHOROZEMA. 
By PAUL PROGRESS, Esq. 
^F aU beautiftd New Holland plants, the plants belonging to this interesting family are the most 
(y beautiful ; for, blooming almost thi'oughout the year, and more especially through the winter and 
early spring months, they contribute to the decorative appearance of the conservatory, or yield a 
few flowers for the bouquet at a time when they ai'e especially acceptable and valuable. They are 
also plants of tolerably easy cultivation ; at least, those who have learned the rudimentary principles 
of cultivation, will find little difficulty in managing some of the more shoviy examples of the family. 
Others, as C. Henchmanni, and angustifolia, are more difficult to manage, but, before we conclude 
this article, we will endeavom- to make their cultivation clear and easy to aU. 
The Chorozemas are propagated by cuttings of the half ripened, young wood, taken off in July or 
August, making choice of the short, stiff, and weak, or medium growth, but avoiding twigs of a 
robust habit. These, after being trimmed, should be about one inch long, and must be inserted iu 
sand, under the protection of a bell-glass. In preparing the pot for the cuttings, take care to di'ain 
it thoroughly, by filling it half full with potsherds, then place fibrous peat about an inch deep over 
the drainage, fill up with clean silver sand, and the pot is ready for the cuttings. It is indispensable 
that a little peat be placed under the sand, as it affords nom-ishment to the yoimg plants, until they 
are potted off, and admits of their being allowed to remain longer in the cutting pot, than would be 
advisable, if they were growing in sand only. After the cuttings are all in, place the pot in a close 
cold £i-ame, water when necessary, and wipe the condensed moisture fi'om the inside of the glass, 
twice or thi'ice a week. Here the cuttings must remain until they are cicatrized, when they may be 
removed to a rather warmer situation, the pots be plunged in a very slig-ht bottom heat, and, in a 
few weeks, they will be ready to pot off. If it is late in the season, say the end of October, before 
the cuttings are in a fit state to pot ofi', it will be the best plan to let them remain in the cutting pot 
through the winter, and to pot them off in February, but if they are fit for single pots in September, 
then they will be much benefited by being potted off early. 
The plants, when sent out from the nurseries, are generally fi-om twelve to eighteen months old, 
and, at that time, should be established in five-inch pots. Presuming you have selected dwarf, 
healthy, bushy, well rooted specimens, prepare the following compost : rich fibrous peat, two parts ; 
leaf mould, one pai't ; turfy rich loam, two parts ; clean potsherds and charcoal, bi-oken to the size of 
mm 
