FEBRUARY. 37 
marginata, and lsevis. Most of these are propagated freely by cuttings, 
and are in consequence more plentiful. 
Respectingthe culture of Pitcher plants, it appears to be a prevalent 
opinion that considerable difficulty attends it; such, however, is not the 
case, on the contrary they are remarkably free growing plants. It 
must not be forgotten, however, that they are true lovers of moisture ; 
this borne in mind they may be grown with ordinary stove plants. As 
their culture is not generally understood, it will be as well, perhaps, to 
state a few particulars, which may serve to guide those attempting their 
cultivation. The present is a good time to secure plants, they now 
being in a comparatively dormant state—and it will be much better not 
to subject them to an exciting temperature until the middle of this 
month or even later. Until that time a rather dry atmosphere of about 
55 or 60 degrees will be sufficient. Previous to subjecting the plants 
to a growing temperature they should be carefully turned out of the 
pots, and, if not well matted with roots, a portion of the old material 
should be removed. If the plants are in good health a liberal shift 
should be given, using a compost of fibrous peat, Sphngftum Moss, and 
decayed leaves, in equal parts, with a liberal admixture of river sand, 
or sandstone pounded and mixed with the compost. In potting, the 
material should be rather firmly pressed in the pots. The plants at this 
stage will be very much benefited by plunging the pots in a bed of 
leaves, or where the roots can enjoy a temperature of about 80 degrees; 
by this means the roots of the plants are first excited, and their growth 
afterwards much accelerated. From a temperature of 60 degrees it 
must gradually be increased, with the increase of solar light, to 70 and 
80 degrees, giving air freely at the higher temperature, and shading 
from the sun. Shading must strictly be attended to, and if the plants 
are grown with a general collection of stove plants it will be better to 
give them a place in a shady part of the house. Water must be given 
freely at all seasons ; during the summer months too much can scarcely 
be given, provided it is allowed to pass freely away. Syringing once 
or twice daily will also be beneficial. Under this treatment the plants 
will grow freely. Towards autumn it will be better to expose the plants 
more freely to the light, for unless the summer’s growth is well matured 
they will be more apt to suffer during winter. Syringing must be 
discontinued in October, and a drier temperature maintained from that 
time throughout the winter. 
By carrying out this principle the plants will be in a good state at 
the time growth commences, and they will start vigorously when 
repotted and placed in a growing temperature, as detailed above. The 
training of these plants requires little art, most of the species merely 
requiring a stjick to keep them upright. The habit, however, of such as 
N. distillatoria requires something more, and it is not unusual to see 
this species trained to the rafters, or wire strained under the roof; a 
better plan, however, is to have a cylindrical trellis, either of stout wire 
or sticks tied to hoops. The shoots being trained to this the ascending 
sap will flow less freely to the leading shoots, and numerous growths 
will be produced near the base of the plant, which tend to make 
the specimens mofe handsome. 
