220 
NEW HOLLAND PLANTS. 
tending its branches in a healthy desirable manner, it is soon 
evident the plant is out of order, the old leaves turn brown at 
the edges, and the young ones wear a crumpled sickly appearance, 
which often continues through an entire season, by no means 
unfrequentlv terminating in dissolution, especially if any little 
error is committed in the regulation of the supply of water; the 
least overdose to a plant in this condition is fatal. At the same 
time it is necessary to observe, a high temperature is equally ob¬ 
jectionable ; in fact, its effects are sooner made known in the 
shape of weak, spindling shoots, which, after struggling for a 
time, take a yellow, sickly hue, are attacked by mildew r , and die. 
The most proper temperature for these plants for the entire 
year, is a range between 40° and 55°, the latter being the summer 
maximum ; in winter it should not exceed 45° or 48°; whenever, 
by force of the sun’s rays, or other circumstances, there is a rise 
about the first-named point, the house should be opened for the 
admission of air to an extent proportionate with the power of the 
increasing temperature, taking care to avoid cold draughts and 
the entrance of chilling rains. 
The soil in which New Holland plants delight, is a mixture of 
two parts peat, and the remainder turfy loam, sand being added 
in proportion to the texture of the other ingredients, and the age 
or condition of the plant. The peat should contain a considerable 
quantity of vegetable matter, though not to an extent sufficient 
to render it spongy, while the loam cannot have too much ; the 
sand should be of the fine, sharp, wdiite kind, commonly known 
as silver sand, and when either of the other materials are of a 
close stiff nature, as much as a third of the whole mass may be 
added; and when young plants, or those at all out of order, are 
to be potted, sand may be added till the mixture assumes a gray 
tint. 
Potting is rather an important operation, and to be done well 
requires much care ; these plants are remarkable for the minute 
silky character of their fibres, which renders them peculiarly 
liable to injury when handled with any degree of roughness, and 
on their preservation, it is almost needless to observe, depends 
the plant’s future progress ; for, though there certainly are cases 
in which it is advisable to reduce their number, as when they 
form a matted wig round the exterior of the ball of earth, yet it 
