February 20.] 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
321 
(lowering, cut down, and repotted, they do well under 
the shade of creepers, or even of vines, but they must 
be exposed to unshaded light by the middle of August. 
By gradual exposure, l have placed them full in the 
sun, out of doors, in the autumn, and they (lowered 
beautifully. But there is danger in getting the foliage 
browned, which is prevented, if they can be allowed to 
stand in a house or pit unshaded. 
Phams grandifolius (Bletia Tankervillim).—The treat¬ 
ment of this plant, for greenhouse decoration, has been 
formerly given. I introduce it here for the purpose of 
mentioning the following fact, to show that general 
rules have their exceptions. When done flowering, 
encouraged to grow, repotted or divided, every encou¬ 
ragement is given until autumn, when the plants are 
kept cool, and dryish during the winter. When placed 
in a higher temperature, the flower-stems soon begin to 
peep, when water should be pretty freely given to 
cause them to come strong. If kept dry and very cool 
for some time after the stems appear, they will almost 
be sure to be weak. When a few of the lower flowers 
begin to expand, the plants will continue to do well in 
the warm end of a common greenhouse. When moving 
the plants to plunge them in a pit for their winter 
quarters, I noticed that a small plant, with two psuedo- 
bulbs, was showing three stout flower-stems, even 
though it had received no check, or rest, whatever; and 
this plant being encouraged with a little extra heat, has 
graced the conservatory for more than two months, and 
half of its flower-buds are not yet open. The flower- 
stems of the other plants are just beginning to peep, 
and will, ere long, be removed to a vinery for a time, 
before transferring them to the conservatory. The little 
plant, flowering as above, was merely a matter of hap¬ 
hazard, so far as cultivation and care were concerned ; 
but, if by early growing , and early resting, we could 
depend upon getting this fine old plant into full bloom 
in November and December, it would add greatly to the 
beauty of our conservatories, at a time when flowers are 
the scarcest. The small plant alluded to, has, when in 
bloom, been several times in a temperature below 40° ; 
in general, the temperature has ranged from 45° to 48°, 
and the plant stood at the greatest distance from the 
ventilators. The genus, however, must have the heat 
of a moderate stove when growing, and again when 
exciting it into bloom. 
All the other tender plants, previously mentioned, 
have done better than usual this winter—one of the very 
best is tlie Epiphyllum truncatum. There are several 
varieties of this species, and a pretty pink species, Bus- 
selianum, more slender in its habits; but the old one is 
still the best for winter work. If merely kept in the 
greenhouse, it will generally commence blooming there 
in November. Many plants did so here this season ; 
: and when nearly done blooming, were removed to a 
cold house, where plenty of air was on night and day, 
the frost being merely excluded, the intention being to 
allow them to remain there until they could obtain, 
| by-and-by, a little more heat to encourage fresh growth. 
After remaining there a few weeks, a second set of small 
flower-buds began to show themselves; and, by placing 
the plants in heat, they have bloomed a second time, 
not so well as the first time, but still very fairly and 
serviceably. As soon as they are finished flowering, 
they will be encouraged to make fresh growth, shifted 
into rich open compost if necessary, placed out of 
doors, full in the sun, in August and September, housed 
and kept dry in October and the first part of November. 
I have lost so many line plants, from being grafted on 
Pereskia aouleata, that I have lately used as a stock the 
Cactus speciossimus, aud though the plants are yet 
young, they seem as if they would never suffer from 
that which constituted their ruin in the other case, 
namely, the insufficiency of the stock to convey enough 
of nourishment to the scion, when that swelled out to a 
huge head like an umbrella. 
2ndly. I will now add a few more plants as suitable 
companions to those previously given. Centradenia 
rosea, a small, compact growing semi-shrubby aud semi- 
herbaceous plant, of a very elegant habit, and enveloped 
in winter and spring with its small pink flowers. The 
plant will succeed, so far as growth is concerned, in a 
moderately warm greenhouse ; but it will not flower so 
freely, nor look so healthy, as when it is encouraged with 
a warmer temperature for a short time when growing, 
and before flowering. When the flowers are nearly done 
with in a moderate greenhouse, the removing of the plant 
to a warmer place for a week, or a fortnight, will render it 
again as beautiful as ever. The flowers, at the best of 
times, being small, the chief interest in the plant consists 
in its peculiar graceful habit and appearance. The genus 
is allied to Melastoma, and was introduced from Mexico 
seven or eight years ago. 
Franciscea. —This genus belongs to the order of Fig- 
worts. The two species most applicable for this purpose 
are F. Hopeana (called also uniflora) and F. latifolia. 
The colour of both is bluish purple, shading off some¬ 
time before the flower falls to a pure white. The blos¬ 
som of the first is about the size of a shilling ; and the 
flower of the latter, a little larger than a crown piece: 
both plants are very beautiful, and also sweet-scented. 
The first is a native of Brazil; the latter of Rio Janeiro. 
Treated as stove plants, they are evergreens; but the 
flowers do not last so long as in colder temperature. 
Treated entirely as greenhouse plants, the plants become 
deciduous, or nearly so; but if the wood is well ripened, 
as the advancing heat of the spring comes on, they will 
bloom as profusely as in a stove, and continue to do so 
longer. Treated upon an intermediate plan, giving 
them a little extra heat to make a short growth, resting 
them again for a short time in bright light, giving them 
another lift with heat, aud then, when in bloom, resting 
them in a cool temperature, the same plant will bloom 
several times during the season. If ever the plants are 
much below 45°, they will lose their leaves; if below 
40°, they will be injured; if from 45° to 50°, they will 
open their blossoms freely; from 50° to 00°, will he suf- 
ficent both for starting into growth, and starting into 
flower. A large plant of Hopeana has not been out of 
the conservatory since last spring. It has been seldom 
below 45°; in a sunny day it would be at least 10° 
higher. It is just now covered with buds, swelling, and 
a few days, in a temperature of 60°, or even 55°, would 
bring it into full bloom. A large plant of latifolia bad 
been so starved, that it lost all its leaves by the begin¬ 
ning of November. The wood being firm, it was moved 
into a temperature of 55°, and in three weeks or so, was 
in bloom, and now it has formed one of a group along 
with Poinsettias, Euphorbias, &c., for two months in the 
conservatory, and its boauty is not yet gone. I forget 
how often these two plants bloomed last season, and 
never were unwelcome, because they are so sweet. All 
who have a warm greenhouse, or a cold greenhouse with 
a warm pit, need have no fears of growing them well. 
Rough peat and lumpy loam, with pieces of charcoal, 
suit them well. Cuttings of small firm young shoots, 
inserted in sand under a bell-glass, aud plunged in a 
gentle bottom heat, will root, but not veiy quickly or 
freely; at least, they have taxed my patience several 
times. Manure water may be given when growing, and 
when in bloom. As the (lowers are produced upon the 
young wood, it is advisable to avoid strong shoots, and 
to have the whole of the plant covered with stubby 
shoots, resembling short snags, which will thus ensure 
the bloom being general, and in a complete mass. 
Begonia .—This is the last genus I shall mention at 
present, and chiefly for recommending to all and sundry, 
I who have got a conservatory or a greenhouse, the beau- 
