MAHCH. 
61 
In all large gardens certain episodes of peculiar character may occur, without 
detracting at all from the general expression of the place as a whole ; and I know 
of no plant more fit to give a marked and peculiar character to such spots than 
Humea elegans. I have seen plants of it stuck out on terraces, with weak slender 
stems, looking most miserable, and inviting one’s pity—indeed, scarcely have I 
ever seen them placed with proper effect. What could be more lovely than in 
the midst of charming pleasure grounds to come suddenly upon a small nook or 
terrace decked out with these fine Humeas to give it character, and filled with 
specimen pots of Japanese Lilies, blue Hydrangeas, Lobelias, and other plants 
from the far East ? Several of these pots might be made in a place ; and we 
think that the charming interest they would create would be felt and acknowledged 
—the whole being of different characters. 
We could write a great deal more on this subject, but feel that we are 
approaching the limits of our space. It is often contended that intricacy destroys 
breadth. But we do not assent to this; we think that there may be the most 
perfect intricacy, with all due respect to the latter quality. 
In writing this paper, I will conclude by assuring my brother horticulturists 
that I have penned nothing but what I have seen and practised; and I hope that 
my humble endeavours may be useful in rescuing a fine plant from a state of 
obscurity. 
Amersham. Heney Bailey, C.M.B.H.S. 
WINTER-BLOOMING STOVE PLANTS 
This class is most valuable to the gardener who, during the dull months 
of November and December, has to keep gay a conservatory or furnish vases 
in-doors. Winter being their natural season of blooming, makes them doubly 
valuable compared with plants requiring artificial stimulation and a large 
amount of preparation in the way of early growth, proper rest, &c., to induce 
them to bloom at this, to them unnatural, period. I need scarcely remark 
that this only requires ordinary treatment, care and attention, in growing and 
training during summer; and if such treatment is given the cultivator will be 
rewarded without any great draw upon his energies. The genus Centradenia 
deserves a position in the foremost ranks of this highly useful class, not only 
for its profuseness of blooming and simple cultivation, but also for their orna¬ 
mental foliage, combined with graceful habit. For dinner-table decoration 
C. rosea is quite a gem; whether in flower or not it is highly ornamental. 
C. floribunda is useful—flowers larger than rosea, with a more upright habit 
of growth ; but on the whole it is not such a desirable kind for the purposes 
mentioned as rosea. C. grandiflora, when really well grown, surpasses the whole 
of them in appearance ; the highly ornamental character of -its foliage renders 
it worthy of being grown expressly for its foliage, if for nothing else. It is 
also a tolerably free-blooming variety, but requires more care to grow it well 
than either of its congeners. 
A few brief remarks on their cultivation may prove interesting, and I hope 
useful, to at least a portion of the readers of the Florist and Pomologist. 
All the genus strike freely from cuttings, put in not later than February or 
beginning of March, in sand, plunged in a brisk bottom heat. An ordinary 
hotbed will answer well enough when a proper propagating-pit is not at com¬ 
mand. As soon as the cuttings are nicely rooted, pot-off singly into 60-size 
pots, using a compost of turfy peat, silver sand, and leaf mould, well decayed. 
Remove them back to the same quarters, placing them on the bed, without 
plunging. In three weeks, upon examining them, it will be found that the 
roots have reached the sides of the pots. At this stage pinch the terminal 
points, to induce a bushy growth and foundation. Wait a fortnight, until 
