84 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ Apeil, 
/flowering plants. In tliis house, the Luculia thrives luxuriantly. The plant is 
14 ft. high and about the same in diameter, and the trusses of bloom measure over 
10 in. in diameter. It commences to flower the first week in November, and the 
greatest number of expanded heads of bloom at one time, in January last, was 
about 200. 
The Luculia, no doubt, is impatient of root-restriction, and somewhat difficult 
to manage in pots; neither is it to be extensively recommended for this purpose, 
as the foliage and inflorescence are under these circumstances alike poor, as com¬ 
posed with those of plants that are planted out. In most establishments there is 
to be found a suitable position for the growth of the Luculia. The Camellia- 
house recommends itself as the best possible position, but it is in comparatively 
few places that this is attainable ; the next best position would be the cool fernery 
or conservatory. The Luculia is well suited to plant against a pillar or wall, 
provided it is not subjected to cutting draughts, of which it is peculiarly sus¬ 
ceptible. It grows freely in a sound sandy loam, such as the surface of an old 
pasture, cut thin, and this will not be benefited by any admixture unless it is 
deficient in sand, which is necessary to maintain porosity. 
When plants of this description are permanently planted out, manures and 
leaf-soil should not be added to the loam, for in the first place they are apt 
to produce an undue luxuriance of growth at a time when it is least required ; 
and in the next place, they are liable to cause it to become inert and sour. This 
has heen frequently demonstrated by the health and abundance of roots met with 
in plants which have grown for years in simple soil, as compared with the root- 
condition of such as are planted in rich compounds. When the plants become 
thoroughly established, and show signs of poverty and exhaustion, nourishment 
is more beneficially administered in the shape of top-dressing and liquids. The 
system of gorging to satiety in youth, when the soil is full of vegetable fibre, is 
barbarous in the extreme, and only calculated to produce debility of constitution 
and premature exhaustion. In the case of the Luculia., this is not required,, as, 
when planted out, it grows very rapidly, requiring repeated pinchings-in of the 
young shoots, particularly when the plants are young, in order to secure uniformity 
of growth; while it must also be freely cut back every spring after blooming. 
Thus, the somewhat straggling habit of the Luculia is successfully combated, 
and a free and healthy growth promoted.— George Westland, Witley Court. 
BEKBERIS DARWINII FOR HEDGES AND POT-CULTURE. 
^f-^OT very many years ago I looked upon the \ovQ\y Berheris Darwinii as 
being somewhat tender, as a plant which might require coaxing and 
codling, and which was never likely to be of any great use ; perhaps here 
and there a gardener or an amateur may think the same now. Yet what 
are the real facts ? It is one of the hardiest of shrubs—the freest grower and 
flowerer that any one could wish for or desire. It adapts itself to wall-fronts, by 
the very smallness of its foliage, and the freedom of its floral display. It grows 
