FEBRUARY. 
49 
be found to occur, if the atmosphere is kept sufficiently humid under the 
frame or hand-glass, and the cuttings at all times shielded from the 
direct rays of the sun. If all goes well, cuttings put in in February, or 
early in March, will be found to be nicely rooted in May, when they 
should at once be put separately into small pots, and restored to the 
place they previously occupied, where they should remain until they 
have formed fresh roots, and then be gradually hardened to endure sun 
and air. In the early part of July, they will be found to require a 
shift into a size larger pot, and the strongest plants will produce beautiful 
heads of bloom the same winter, and these plants, in the second season, 
with a little care and attention to stopping the leading growths, and 
being shifted into larger pots about two successive times, will make 
nice compact specimens, producing each from twelve to twenty heads 
of bloom, and in this state ^they will form admirable subjects for 
decoration. 
But where really fine specimens are desired, a young, healthy, 
vigorous plant should be selected, the preference being given to one that 
has not yet flowered : say a plant from four to six inches high. Early 
in February this should be placed in gentle heat, affording it a little 
bottom heat at the same time, to excite the roots simultaneously with 
the top. When both have commenced growth, the plant should be 
transferred to a larger pot, and be afterwards plunged to the rim in a 
bottom heat of about 80° Fahr., and the atmospheric temperature 
increased also with proportionate moisture. A situation in a Cucumber 
frame or pit will answer admirably, as the requirements of the latter 
in this respect will be exactly suited to the Luculia at this stage of its 
growth. To keep it in every stage as close to the glass as possible is 
important, with a view to secure a short-jointed sturdy growth, without 
which success is uncertain. When they have attained a height of 
twelve or fourteen inches, the terminal bud should be pinched out, and 
lateral shoots will soon after be formed, the central ones of which must 
be frequently stopped as they advance, as this will give additional 
strength to the lower branches, and enable them to develope themselves 
in full perfection, <and produce as large heads of bloom as the upper 
branches, and ensure shape to the specimen. 
The Luculia seldom pushes shoots from more than the uppermost 
eyes ; therefore, the pinching must not be long delayed; moreover, the 
energies of the plant seem almost entirely directed to the upper shoots, 
and if stopping is not attended to, the lower branches become weak and 
puny, and ultimately die away, when all hope of forming a specimen- 
is at an end. Timely attention to stopping in this wise, therefore, must 
be regarded as of the first importance ; the lower branches will seldom 
be found to require it. 
The plant should receive its final shift for the first season about 
midsummer, and afterwards be returned again to a place where it can 
be afforded bottom-heat, as before, and kept there for a month or so, 
and then be gradually hardened, and finally removed to the greenhouse, 
where it can be kept cool, and in an airy situation; care, however, 
must be taken that it should not be exposed to drying currents of air, 
and partial shade from the noonday sun shouM be given. Stopping, 
VOL X., NO. CX. E 
