10 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 7, 1905, 
that becomes hard on exposure, and is easily reduced to 
powder. In a report on vegetable substances at the A ictorian 
Exhibition in 1861 the following description is given of the 
formation and character of this substance in Xanthorrhoea aus¬ 
tralis : “ It is found in masses of irregular globular shape 
within the body of the tree, and exuding in large tears near its 
roots. It is a dark, friable substance, the purer homogeneous 
specimens exhibiting a most brilliant ruby colour when crushed 
into fragments. It fuses readily with the same deep colour, 
and exhales the characteristic odour of gum benzoin and 
dragon’s blood under such circumstances. In many respects 
it resembles the last-named substance, but its solutions are less 
intensely red, inclining to yellow, while as a varnish it has 
much more body and gloss.” 
A good series of samples of these peculiar resins, including 
a remarkably fine block of considerable weight, is exhibited in 
Museum No. 2 of the Royal Gardens, Kew. A representation 
of Xanthorrhoea hastilis is shown in another column. 
John lh Jackson, A.L.S. 
Claremont, Lympstone, Devon. 
Chorizemas. 
This interesting group of Australian shrubs, like so many of 
the plants introduced from that country, are members of the 
natural order Leguminosae, Although many of them are of 
straggling habit, they may by judicious pruning after the 
flowering season is past be grown on into most useful speci¬ 
mens, when they will be found invaluable as decorative 
material for the greenhouse or conservatory during the early 
months of the year. 
Charming specimens may be grown in large pots, training 
them over a wire balloon-like framework, or where space is at 
command they may be planted out into a border in the green¬ 
house, where with the aid of a few stakes a somewhat similar 
contrivance' to the wire framework may be effected, and to 
which the graceful shoots of the plant should be tied in loosely, 
due consideration being paid to the habit of the plant, which, 
if otherwise treated, would greatly detract from its most 
elegant appearance. 
The compost which I recommend for Chorizemas consists of 
two parts peat, one of good fibrous loam, and one of sand, and, 
providing at all times the careful manipulation of the water- 
can is exercised, no difficulties should occur with their success¬ 
ful cultivation. 
Propagation may be effected with cuttings of the firm, short 
side shoots, taken off with a heel and inserted in finely sifted 
peat and sand, placing a bellglass over them, and subjecting 
to a slight bottom heat, which will have the effect of promoting 
the early formation of roots. 
After repotting any plants that may have required it, intro¬ 
duction to a little extra warmth will induce new growths to 
break away, and these should be encouraged by keeping a 
genial atmosphere in the house, ultimately removing to a more 
cool and airy situation. Among the many species of this beau¬ 
tiful pea-flowered genus of plants, few at the present time are 
extensively cultivated. C. cordatum is a beautiful species 
having heart-shaped leaves, which are armed at the edges with 
sharp, prickly teeth ; the flowers are freely produced, being in 
colour red, spotted at the base with orange-yellow. C. Dick- 
sonii is a strong-growing species introduced in 1836 ; the 
flowers are produced in profusion, of a scarlet and yellow 
colour. C. lawrenceanum, introduced in 1845, is one of the 
most free-growing species, the flowers being of an exquisite 
orange and scarlet shade. C. Henchmanni affords us a pleas¬ 
ing and distinct species, its leaves being small and Heath-like, 
whilst its flowers are produced in long racemes, which are of a 
bright scarlet, with a green spot at the base. C. Lowi may be 
characterised as a beautiful bright-coloured variety, with deep 
green leaves, and of a bushy habit. C. varium, another species 
partaking of a compact habit, with rather large deep green 
leaves, is deserving of a place in the smallest collection. 
F. G. T. 
Poinsettias. 
When Poinsettias have finished flowering they may be put 
in any corner out of the way, where they can receive a little 
light, and be subject to a temperature of 50 deg. By cutting 
back the stems about the middle of April and placing the 
plants in a heat of 60 deg., abundance of young growths will 
assert themselves. 
Some difficulty is occasionally found in getting these cut¬ 
tings to root, “ damping ” being too often the cause of non¬ 
success. Cuttings should be taken off with a heel of the old 
wood attached to them, and be inserted round the edges of 
3-in. pots containing a compost in which sand predominates. 
A ring of fine sand should also be laid round the interior of the 
poGrirn on the top of the soil, so that with the insertion of 
the cuttings a quantity may fall down on all sides of the stems, 
thereby securing more porosity. It is all important that the 
soil and pots be well warmed before commencing the work. 
When finished the cuttings should receive a thorough water¬ 
ing with water slightly warmer than the soil. The superfluous 
water being drained off, they must be put in a close frame in 
the propagating pit, where there is a free access of bottom 
heat and a temperature of 70 deg. A good space should be 
left between each pot, so that when airing the bad atmosphere 
may be speedily diminished and the frame closed up again. I 
believe it is better to let them flag slightly before closing up 
rather than to supply them with an, insufficiency of fresh air. 
The temporary lack of moisture in the atmosphere appears to 
make them apply to their lower capacity, thereby causing 
more activity i’n the cells toward the base, and the quicker 
formation of roots. 
When the plants are rooted and able to withstand it, air 
should be given freely; increasing, of course, the amount 
gradually. As soon as possible transfer them to a position 
close up to the glass, as they are very susceptible to becoming 
“ leggy.” Syringe daily before closing up in the afternoon, 
and never let them become too dry at the roots, or the result 
will be the loss of the basal leaves. 
As Poinsettias require it, they should be potted on into 
larger pots. A good loamy soil is all that is required to grow 
them in. It is, however, unnecessary for general use to put 
them in larger pots than 6 in. Liquid manure is a good sub¬ 
stitute for excessive pots. 
Tlie temperature should be gently decreased towards August, 
in which month and September they must have plenty of air to 
form well-ripened wood, a night temperature of 50 deg. being 
' quite enough. In October they may again be put in a warm 
house at 60 deg. In this warmth the flowers will expand, and 
the gorgeous red leafy bracts will develop splendidly, owing to 
the well-ripened stems produced by the conditions of the last 
two months. Feeding with liquid in a mild state will tend to 
enlarge the bracts of the flower-like “ heads.” 
Should circumstances prevent the growth qf short stubby 
plants, the stems may be half severed 7 in. or 8 in. from the 
top. When this wound is healed over cut clean through at the 
same place and propagate the “ top.” But it is better to have 
them slightly “ leggy ” than to adopt this means, except where 
dwarf plants are required. 
When nearly full out transferring them to a temperature of 
50 deg. is most conducive to a lengthy period of flowering. A 
succession of Poinsettias may be had by deferring to place in 
heat a. batch, after the ripening of the stems in autumn, till 
November. 
In praise of this magnificent flower we mydit say that “ it 
is in itself all praise.” James P. Dickson. 
Iris reticulata sophenensis. — This beautiful Iris is a native 
of Sophene, the district around Kharput. Its biue-purple 
flowers are less funnel-snaped than are those of I. reticulata, 
and besides the distinction of form and colour there is a warterl 
or papillose orange ridge running along the whole length of 
the claw and part of the blade of the claw. Specimens were 
exhibited by Messrs. Wm. Cutbush and Son at the Horticul¬ 
tural Hall on Tuesday. 
