CULTURE OF VIIMULUS ROSEUS. 
22:i 
figured by Dr. Lindley in his excellent Botanical Register, folio 
1591. 
It is a perennial, and seems scarcely so easy of culture as tlie 
generality of this genus. The best way is to keep it constantly either 
in a frame or greenhouse, potted in light loam, and the pot placed in 
a pan of water. It will, however, grow and flower in the open bor¬ 
ders, during summer, but in this case its flowers are very small, and 
afford very little ornament, and it is indispensable to shelter it in 
winter either in a greenhouse or frame. It is increased by cuttings, 
and occasionally it ripens seeds. A strong musky odour is emitted 
by it, similar to that of the moschatus. All the species of mimulus 
are remarkable for the irritability of the stigma; the two lobes lie 
rather wide of each other when not irritated; but if touched slightly 
with a needle, a straw, or a bristle, they instantly close. 
The annual species, as floribundus and parviflorus, are raised 
easily from seeds, which may be sown in April, in a warm situation 
in the open border in common soil; but they grow stronger if the 
soil be peat. As soon as they are large enough, thin them carefully 
out, or they are liable to damp off. 
The hardy perennial species and varieties, as the moschatus, 
luteus, luteus rivularis, alatus, &c., are easily increased by division 
of the roots and seeds. The moschatus thrives much the best, if 
planted in a shady damp border of peat soil. In such a situation 
the leaves and flowers will grow remarkably strong; but, it will grow 
in almost any soil or situation, and gives out a powerful musky odour. 
The luteus, and the variety rivularus, spread rapidly, if planted by 
the side of a pond of water, particularly the latter; they both suc¬ 
ceed admirably in pots kept standing in water. With this treatment 
the leaves and stems of the rivularis assume a brown colour, and 
the rich brown spot is very conspicuous. Both the luteus and rivu¬ 
laris seed freely; if the seeds be sown in spring, the plants will 
flower in the autumn, and if in autumn, they will flower the 
following summer. If placed in a hothouse, the colours are paler, 
and less beautiful although the plant itself grows taller than under 
any other treatment. 
Those requiring the shelter of a frame in winter, as the guttatus 
and lanatus, require similar treatment to the greenhouse species. 
The greenhouse species and varieties, as the glutinosus which is 
now nearly lost in our greenhouses, the variegatus, Smithii, and 
Youngii, will do in almost any rich light, and porous soil; but the 
pots in which they are planted should be placed in pans filled with 
water. We raised a very beautiful variety from seed bearing some 
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