March 27 . 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
401 
Previous experience would say, that in the case of young 
plants especially, when it was desirable to have a 
dense mass of bloom, with but small foliage, the 
compost l'or the first potting should be sandy peat and 
leaf-mould, with a little fibry loam; the next potting 
should have more loam, less peat, no loaf-mould, and a 
little lime-rubbish and charcoal; while, for the final 
potting, fibry loam and rough lime-rubbish should be 
the chief constituents. This will secure short joints, 
abundance of bloom, and small leaves; and then the 
first signs of a too groat weakness may be easily remedied 
by manure-waterings, or a surface-dressing of old cow- 
dung. Loam, peat, and lime-rubbish, all rather rough, 
will produce plants in a medium state, as respects 
abundance of flowers and luxuriance of foliage ; but 
when flowers are to predominate over leaves, the com¬ 
post must be hungry and poor. Good drainage, and 
abundance of water when growing and blooming will, 
with these other hints, furnish the means of success. 
Good, cleau specimens always speak of good, attentive 
gardening. R. Fish. 
MUSA COCCINEA. 
(The Scarlet Musa, or Plantain.) 
If this plant had been lately discovered by such a 
collector as Mr. Lobb, and sent to such a nurseryman as 
Mr. Vcitch, it would have been thought one of the finest 
of plants for the stove. Unfortunately, it is not fashion¬ 
able, and is neglected, and almost unknown. It is a great 
pleasure to me, now and then, to drop upon such plants, | 
and endeavour to rescue them from neglect. 
The Musas are a noble race of plants, quick in growth, 
with extraordinarily fine leaves; I have measured one! 
ten feet long, and one-and-a-half feet wide This was 
produced on the Musa sapientum. To the uuiniated, I 
may just say, that the Musa tribe produces in hot 
climates the fruit called Banana, or Plantain. The Musa 
Gavendishii is a later introduction, and is a dwarfer 
species. 
The Musacoccinea does not bear fruit, but it lias large 
leaves; grows about six feet high, and the flower comes 
up amongst the leaves, and is large, and of a most 
brilliant, deep scarlet colour. The finest specimen I 
ever saw was grown in an old tan-bed, in a stove, that 
formerly belonged to the lato R. Salisbury, Esq., at 
Chapelallerton, near Leeds, in Yorkshire. There, 
amongst many other rare plants, the Musa coccinea 
flourished with a vigour and luxuriance that would rather 
astonish our crack plant-cultivators of the present day. 
The plant was in a large pot, and had thrown up seven 
or eight stems, with numerous fine, healthy leaves, and 
a large spathe of flowers in each cluster of leaves. I 
believe it had not been potted for several years. The 
roots had got through the bottom of the pot, and also 
had crept over the rim, and thus the plant had a 
large pasture to draw support from. The gardener gave 
it, during summer, many a strong dose of manure-water, 
which added to the nutritive power of the decaying tan, 
and thus caused this fine old plant to display its beauty 
to the utmost; but as every grower of stove-plants may 
not have an old tan-bed, 1 will endeavour to give general 
hints on its culture, such as every cultivator may put in 
practice. 
Culture. — I can scarcely tell where a plant may be 
purchased of this Musa. It is so seldom asked for that 
nursery-men have given up growing it for sale. Probably 
it might be had from some botanic garden. I remember 
seeing several plants in the Birmingham Garden, some 
time ago, and most likely Mr. Catling will keep some by 
him. I may just mention, that whoever will grow this 
plant on my recommendation must remember, that it 
requires in height of space at least seven feet, and 
also a brisk, moist heat. Whoever has these two 
things may venture to look out for and obtain a good 
plant. Having got it safely borne, then prepare a 
mixture of loam, peat, and well-decomposed dung, in 
equal parts, and place it in a warm place to dry and 
air. Choose a pot considerably larger than the one the 
plant is in, drain it thoroughly, and proceed to repot the 
plant. The best time to do this is in early spring. If 
you have the convenience of a warm tan-bed in 
your stove it will be of great advantage to plunge 
the newly-potted plant in it, only be careful the bottom- 
heat does not exceed 80°. In this bark-bed your 
Musa may remain for three months; then take it 
out and examine the roots ; if the pot is quite full, give 
the plant a second shift, and replunge it. It will make 
rapid growth, and its line foliage will delight every one. 
Keep it well watered, and every third time add a quart 
of manure-water to four quarts of tepid rain water, and 
with this rich food give your plant a good dose; what 
is spared may be given to other strong-growing plants 
that require such rich feeding. The leaves should be 
frequently syringed on both sides, to keep off the red 
spider, which is partial to this plant, and increases fast 
on its capacious leaves. Should they get the upper hand, 
take a large, soft sponge, and wipe the leaves over two 
or three days in succession, that will entirely clear them 
of this tiny but destructive enemy. In the latter part 
of autumn, and all the winter, give much less water, and 
let it be pure If the plant has done well it will, about 
May, show its flowers, and should then have an increase 
of water. , 
After the flowering is over cut it down, and encourage 
the young suckers that spring up to grow, by repotting, 
and watering with manure-water occasionally. The second 
year there will, most likely, be three stems instead of one, 
and these will, if well managed, produce each a spathe 
of flowers; the plant will then bo a healthy, fine object. 
The tan-bed is not absolutely necessary, but, as I said 
above, it is an advantage. I have found, when no tan 
is used, the wrapping round the pot with moss has been 
a good practice, and also a covering on the soil of cakes 
or hard lumps of dung has greatly added to the growth. 
The great points to aim at are, plenty of pot-room, a high, 
moist temperature, and rich soil, well-drained. By 
applying these with all diligence, this plant will reward 
and gratify the cultivator. 
Propagation. —It is easily propagated by taking off a 
sucker from the main plant as soon as it has a leaf and 
roots of its own. Pot the sucker, and place it in a close, 
warm, shady place till fresh growth takes place. It is 
then a plant, and may be treated as such in the manner 
described above. T. Appleuy. 
ADVICE TO YOUNG GARDENERS. 
(Continued from puye 474.) 
My young friends are, I hope, travelling on the road 
of improvement, and striving, by close, persevering 
study, and firm self-denial, to attain to the character of 
a good, efficient gardener, and a worthy member of 
society. . Some men are striving to win reputation in 
the field of warfare, acquiring a good name for killing 
their fellow men ; others strive to achieve triumphs in 
courts of justice, pleading for their clients with all their 
might, whether the cause is just or not; others, again, 
arc senators, striving for place, or passing laws, thereby to 
win fame and popularity ; but our triumphs are of a more 
peaceful nature. Gardeners strive to win from the soil 
beautiful plants, excellent fruits, and improved, whole¬ 
some vegetables. The man who does bis duty in his 
garden, and skilfully directs bis operations throughout 
