THE H3SCHYNANTHUS. 
269 
their lateral extension ; on the contrary, their development in this 
direction should be encouraged, and with this view it is advisable 
to have the baskets wide as well as shallow, and the lighter their 
construction, the more it will add to the beauty of the plants. 
To illustrate my mode of management, we will suppose the 
specimens planted in such baskets, in a mixture of moss cut very 
fine, with a third of leaf-mould or rotten wood added, this forms 
a porous and suitable medium for their fleshy roots. The period 
of their most active growth we may consider to extend from 
January to May, and during that time they should be kept in a 
warm and moist atmosphere, the temperature of which may range 
from 75° to 85°. Syringing will be necessary at least twice a day, 
to promote a healthy growth, and to keep down the red spider, 
to whose ravages the thick coriaceous foliage is very subject; and 
when water is given to the roots, which will probably be required 
twice or thrice a week, let it be a liberal application, for the 
system of giving a little and often is most deceptive, merely 
tending to sodden the surface, while the lower portion is left 
comparatively dry. As soon as the flower-buds are perceptible 
less moisture will suffice, until they become quite clear of the 
stems, when the liberal treatment may be resumed, and every 
encouragement given and continued till they assume their colour. 
A situation somewhat cooler, though not lower than 60°, will 
impart the greatest brilliancy to the flowers, and preserve their 
beauty for a considerable time, but it will not be safe to continue 
the plants in a lower temperature than that named, lest the 
blossoms receive a check, which in all probability will prevent 
their expanding. 
The iEschynanthus being quickly acted on by a change of 
temperature, I find that by removing the plants back to the 
warmer atmosphere, as soon as the blossoms decay, and adopting 
the course before described, to cause a resumption of growth, 
that five successive crops of flowers may be had; and it is re¬ 
markable that without these changes, but few flowers are ever 
produced. 
I may here mention a circumstance connected with the pro¬ 
duction of flowers, which opens a means of inducing the most 
obstinate to bloom well. A specimen of JE. grand!flora had at¬ 
tained a fine state of health, and, so far as growth was concerned. 
