280 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ DECEMBKa, 
gave some idea of tlie oddity of this plant, which is that of a somewhat unwieldy 
creeper, ascending the trees by means of its numerous stout clinging roots, and 
with all due deliberation propagating its species by bearing fruit of a few ounces’ 
weight once in two j'-ears. Mr. Pomologist, with your “ Kentish Fill Basket,” 
what think you of this ? — Alex. Forsyth, Salford. 
Mr. Forsyth is somewhat at fault, both as to the size and merits of the 
Monstera., which we have grown with much success at Chelsea, and which is 
really worth a place in any garden establishment, for the sake of affording from 
time to time a dish of its unusual and delicious fruit, of which many ladies and 
gentlemen are particularly fond. Well-grown samples when ripe are some 8 in. 
or 9 in. in circumference, and average about a foot in length. The smell of a 
ripe fruit is most penetrating and appetizing, though it may not be agreeable 
to everyone ; it appears to us to be a blending of the fragance of a pine and a 
melon. The juice is so exceedingly rich that it soon becomes cloying. One plant 
rambling over a water-tank in a warm house has for several years borne from six 
to twelve fruits annually, the fruit ripening in succession at intervals of two or 
three weeks, about the same interval as occurs between the Howering, and about 
a year from the time of flowering, fresh flower-spikes—for it is a compound fruit 
— forming annually to keep up a succession. The plant is well worth growing 
as an ornamental object, its large and curiously cut leaves having a remarkably fine 
appearance. With us it generally flowers in July and August.—T. M. 
. GRIFFINIA HYACINTHINA. 
HIS plant is somewhat scarce, but, nevertheless, it is deserving of cultivation 
even in the most select collections. With me it blooms in the autumn, 
and continues in flower for eight or nine weeks. It is well adapted either 
fu for decorative purposes, or for the supply of cut flowers. In bouquet¬ 
making it equals in form the lovely Pancratium, and at the same time furnishes 
a colour not over plentiful, namely, violet and white. One of the most beautiful 
bouquets I ever recollect to have seen, was made of this Grriffinia, with Stephanotis 
and pink Eose-buds. 
It is a native of South America, and requires the temperature of an inter¬ 
mediate house or warm vinery. It grows well, in a mixture of two-thirds yellow 
loam and one-third peat, with a moderate quantity of sharp sand, but not more 
than just sufficient to secure porosity in the soil. All bulbs of this description 
dislike anything approaching light soil. It requires that the soil in potting should 
be rammed firmly down, and that just sufficient drainage should be used to prevent 
any stagnation of water about the roots. 
During the growing season—that is, from the beginning of March to 
September—it requires a plentiful supply of water. After this it will begin to 
throw up bloom, and then a little less water may be used ; but even when the 
blooming is over, and the plant is at rest, it must never be allowed to become 
