6 
THE FLORIST. 
The compost in which Messrs. Veitch’s plant is growing consists of 
good loam, peat, a little rotten manure, leaf-soil, and sand. In planting, 
a situation should,be selected where it would not be exposed to the full 
rays of the sun—a north aspect, or where it could be otherwise shaded, 
would be most suitable. As a pot plant it is very valuable ; we have 
seen it in great perfection so late as February, when its bright scarlet 
flowers and dark glossy foliage render it a conspicuous object. 
Lapageria rosea .—This is acknowledged to be one of the most 
beautiful greenhouse creepers in cultivation, and yet how seldom do we 
see flowering plants ! It has been considered difficult to manage, yet 
this is far from being the case: certainly young plants do not grow 
freely in many instances; we are inclined to think, however, that this 
arises in some measure from improper treatment, for when once the 
plants are fairly started few grow or flower more freely. From what 
we have seen of its cultivation, we are of opinion that a house some¬ 
what warmer than an ordinary greenhouse is requisite, when the plants 
commence to grow in the spring. We would, however, by no means 
recommend the stove, although some have succeeded in growing good 
specimens in that structure. One that was planted some years ago 
in the Messrs. Veitch’s Nursery, in a prepared border of a conserva¬ 
tory in which Camellias are grown, was perhaps one of the finest 
plants in this country, though now much cut for propagating. In this 
house a very regular temperature was maintained during the months 
of March and April by means of gentle fires, in cold weather, at which 
time the Camellias are making their growth. Every season, about this 
time, a number of young shoots makes their appearance at the base, 
which much resemble small Asparagus when rising from the ground. 
With the Lapageria this is a critical season; for if a slug is in the 
neighbourhood it will be sure to find out this plant, and we are not sure 
that this is not the cause of disappointment in the plant not growing, 
for the buds, unless protected, are frequently destroyed before they 
appear above the soil. When the growth of the Camellias is matured, 
air is always admitted in great abundance; in fact, the house is thrown 
open to admit as much air as possible. From this time the Lapa¬ 
geria always begins to produce its blooms, and we have seen in the 
month of August upwards of seventy expanded blooms on this plant at 
one time. At the horticultural exhibition at the Crystal Palace, in 
June of the present season, the Messrs. Veitch exhibited a pot plant 
of the Lapageria, which was admired as a “beautiful specimen trained 
in the form of a parasol, whose fringe was represented by a row of rich 
crimson blossoms.” This plant was in bloom some short time previous 
to that show, and from that time had continued, till the end of Septem¬ 
ber, to produce a succession of bloom ; at the time we saw it there 
were thirteen expanded blooms, with numerous buds. It was standing 
in their Heath-house, where we understood it had been growing 
throughout the summer. Mr. Dominy recommends soft fibrous peat 
and a small portion of leaf-soil, and to be liberally supplied with water 
throughout the growing season. 
Rhododendron Princess Royal .—This beautiful new hybrid, from 
R. jasminiflorum and R.javanicum, was raised by Mr. Veitch, and flowered 
