187S.] 
IXORA SFLENDENS.-GLEANINGS FROM DU BREUIL. 
129 
IXORA SPLENDENS. 
[Plate 474.] 
« HIS variety was raised by Messrs. E. 
Cole and Sons, at the Withington 
Nurseries, near Manchester. It was, 
we are informed, obtained by a succession of 
crosses, extending over a period of eight or ten 
years, Ixora aurantiaca , I. salicifoUa, and 
I. rosea , a species now seldom seen, being in 
the first instance used as parents. These 
crosses brought varieties of various forms, the 
most conspicuous characters being in the shape 
and size of the foliage, with nothing to re¬ 
commend them in regard to the form or colour 
of the flowers, some being pale orange and 
others dull red. The most remarkable seed¬ 
lings of this batch, as regards the shape of their 
foliage, were selected for further crossing, I. 
salicifoUa being in all cases used as the parent, 
and after many unsuccessful attempts, Ixora 
splendens, now figured, is the result. 
We have no hesitation in pronouncing this 
to be one of the very finest Lvovas yet raised, 
and one which is remarkably distinct, both in 
foliage and flowers. The leaves, as will be seen, 
are peculiar, in their obovate-oblong figure be¬ 
ing bluntly rounded at the apiculate apex. The 
flowers are individually large in size, collected 
into magnificent heads, and of the most brilliant 
carmine-scarlet, altogether unapproachable by 
any artificial colours, but the general effect of 
which Mr. Macfarlane and M. De Pannemaeker 
have respectively done their best to reproduce, 
and with very commendable success, in the 
accompanying plate. 
The Withington Nurseries have always been 
famous for the cultivation of stove and green¬ 
house flowering plants, and the reports of the 
leading exhibitions show that this position is 
still maintained. As regards Ixoras , the 
Messrs. Cole have contributed the following 
notes upon the way in which they cultivate 
these most attractive plants. They remark :— 
“ Regular and strict attention to the temper¬ 
ature of the house is one very important 
matter, which should at no time be overlooked 
or underrated. The temperature should never 
be allowed to fall below 55°. Then the house 
should be kept moderately dry. If a full 
command of heat can be obtained, the moisture 
may be increased; and during the summer 
months, a good syringing overhead night and 
morning may be permitted in fine weather. 
During the cold and dull days of winter, 
moisture must be used very sparingly, or the 
plants will soon be attacked by spot, which 
gives them a very unhealthy and unsightly 
appearance. 
“ With regard to soil, we use simply peat and 
sand, being careful to select good hard fibrous 
peat. It does not follow that they will not 
grow in other mixtures, as we have seen very fine 
plants of Ixora coccinea , in splendid health, 
with from thirty to forty fine heads of bloom, 
grown in a compost of peat, loam, and sand. 
Great care should be taken to use water of a 
temperature as near that of the house as 
possible, or the consequence will be that 
the plants will be thrown into a very un¬ 
healthy condition. Many of those who visit our 
establishment are surprised at the quantity of 
growth and the freshness of our Ixoras , which 
look as free and robust as willows, sometimes 
making as much as three or four feet of growth 
in one season ; and they seem scarcely to believe 
us when we show them the tank of clear water, 
and tell them w» use no artificial means in the 
shape of manure. We firmly believe that the 
great secret of success lies in keeping the plants 
clean, and in paying strict attention to the 
temperature, which ranges from 55° to 65°. 
The following selection represents a few of 
what we consider the most useful kinds : — 
Ixora coccinea, I. amboinica, I. Colei , I. 
Prince of Orange , 1. amabilis, I. Williamsii, 
and I. Fraseri.” —M. 
GLEANINGS FROM DU BREUIL. 
ORD BACON has said, “ He that in- 
quireth much will learn much.” It is 
equally true that he who readeth much 
will learn much. I am most thankful to M. Du 
Breuil for his noble work on “ Pruning and 
Training Fruit Trees.” It would be impertinent 
No. 9. imperial series.— i. 
in me even to praise it. There is a great deal 
in his book beyond my experience. I will, there¬ 
fore, only advert to those recommendations 
which I have experienced to be true. “ On the 
general principles of training,” he observes that 
the wood of trees ought to be symmetrical, as it 
K 
