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270 THE RONDELETIA SPECIOSA MAJOR AS A SPECIMEN” PLANT. 
primary stages of growth, and previously to the period when the floral hnes are unfolded, such an 
extent of growth as is adequate to the result required, by a judicious application of the great agents 
< essential to the production of luxuriant vegetation. To accomplish this in an effectual manner, it is 
requisite to possess an intimate acquaintance with the climatic conditions of the native habitats of 
plants ; which, in the case of the Rondeletia speciosa, of which major is a variety, is Cuba, situated in 
20° to 23° North latitude, having an average temperature of about 76° Fahrenheit. In so warm a 
clime, the period of growth is characterized by a large amount of heat and moisture, the amount of 
rain which falls being comparatively very great to that which occurs in Britain, producing a great 
amount of evaporation, which, combined with the amount of evaporation from its contiguity with the 
ocean, furnishes a very humid atmosphere in which vegetation flourishes with a degree of vigour of 
which we can have hut a faint conception in temperate climes. Glancing at the period of rest in 
tropical countries we find it characterized by much drought and heat, which in the all-wise economy of 
nature has the effect of producing the like results on tropical vegetation, which a material lowering of 
temperature under a very small amount of solar heat has in temperate climes. Now, in an exact ratio 
as an approximation is made to the natural conditions under which the greatest amount of vigour is 
attained, and a modification of them essential to the production of a thorough elaboration of the 
vegetable juices which have been adverted to, will be our amount of success; apportioning the amount 
of heat in the latter instance to the amount of light. 
From these premises I will proceed to describe briefly a system of treatment based on the principle 
involved therein. Some time in the spring, when the young plants are struck and ready to pot 
from the cutting pot, put them into three-inch pots in a mixture of two-thirds peat and one-third turfy 
loam, with some silver sand ; they should then be placed hi a span-roofed pit, and stopped at the third 
joint from the base of the shoots, and plunged in a warm medium over a hot-water tank, that root 
action may he excited, and an imitation of the terrestrial temperature in the tropics, which exceeds very 
much that of the atmosphere—may he produced. The temperature of the plunging medium may he 
80° Fahr., and the atmospherical from 70° to 85°, varying the amount according to the degree of solar 
heat, with a nocturnal temperature of 60° to 65°. As the incipient buds break, and the young shoots 
become developed, a portion of air should be admitted to induce them to assume a robust habit of 
growth. Syrmgings should be given them morning and evening, and the pit closed early in the afternoon 
to keep up a warm humid atmospheric medium around the plants. After the pots are filled with roots, 
and before becoming cramped, they may be potted into five-inch pots in the following materials 
intimately blended :—One-third turfy loam from an old pasture, the turf in a partial state of decomposi¬ 
tion, one-third fibrous peat, and one-third good rotten dung, with a portion of charcoal hi small pieces, 
and silver sand. They should then be replaced in the pit and partially plunged. Whent he shoots 
have attained four inches hi length, they may have the points pinched out, and this system of stopphig 
should be repeated till the plants are of the required size—that is, say five or six times, never allowing 
the shoots to grow above four inches betwixt the periods at which such operation is performed. If 
the plants are required to bloom hi the spring, stopping may be discontinued at the termination of the 
second autumn. 
As the plants increase in size, after the second potthig, they should be repotted when they require 
it, using the materials in a coarser state than previously, to secure the requisite degree of porosity in 
the soil, and to make it permeable to air and water, which is of the utmost importance. They must be 
kept growing under precisely the same conditions as heretofore, excepting that more ah’ be given as 
the plants increase in size; and weak liquid manure, in a highly clarified condition, may be supplied 
once a fortnight to the plants ; which will accelerate their growth very much. As autumn approaches, 
the plants may be removed to where there is a drier atmosphere,—a span-roofed stove for instance,— 
less humidity kept up, and the supply of water reduced, with a gradual reduction of temperature, till 
it recedes to from 60° to 70° by day ; and 55° to 60° night. This will be found sufficiently high during 
the season of comparative repose, till the vivifying influences of the great source of light, heat, and 
vitality, arouse the vital functions to renewed activity ; when the treatment before described may be 
again resorted to, potting the plants as they require it. When the plants have undergone their last 
stopping, a reversal of these conditions is necessary: the plants may be alloAved to become cramped at 
the roots, the humidity both of the soil and atmosphere should be reduced, and waterings of liquid 
manure discontinued, till all the flower buds are distinctly visible ; when they may be renewed in a 
copious manner. A splendid display of bloom will be the ultimate result of this system of manage¬ 
ment. 
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