THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
237 
their collections ready for sale, and the same may be 
said of the Little Gem Moss-Rose; the latter, however, 
may be obtained from any of our leading rose-growers. 
Whenever we find a beautiful object we endeavor to 
illustrate it, without the slightest thought as to where 
it may be found—knowing full well if it is valuable its 
introduction is merely a question of time. 
Cereus.— Mrs. Win. Merothorpe —We think you must 
be mistaken in regard to the specific name of your 
plant, as we have never before seen it. The treatment 
of the species is the same, however. Give them plenty 
of water when growing, and but little when at rest. 
Do not cut the offsets unless wanted for propagation. 
Begonia Rex.— Same —The requirements of this class 
of plants are heat, moisture and shade. Fine plants can 
seldom be grown in the house unless in a fernery. They 
will require partial rest, the time for which they will 
plainly indicate by the partial drying up of their leaves 
soon after flowering. If the old stem has dropped its 
leaves, cut back when new growth commences. 
Mildew on Roses .—Miss E. H. P .—Mildew is a dan¬ 
gerous foe. When it appears, at once pick off the leaves 
most affected, and cover the rest with flower of sulphur 
when the bushes are wet with dew or rain. Repeat the 
operation after every shower. In many instances this 
has effected a cure, in others it has failed to produce 
any good effect. Soot is also strongly recommended 
for this disease. A distinguished rose-grower in En¬ 
gland says he “ tried sulphur without success, and at 
last in desperation smothered them with soot, in the 
dew of the morning. This rested on them for four 
or five days, and was then washed off. The effect was 
marvelous ; the mildew disappeared ; the leaves turned 
to a dark green; the buds opened freely; and the 
flowers were brilliant.” 
Flora.—One of our subscribers desires us to tell her 
all we know about the following plants, their history, 
habits, methods of culture, &c., &c. This we can hardly 
afford to do, as it would leave but little room in the 
next few numbers of the Cabinet for other informa¬ 
tion that is of equal importance to many of our read¬ 
ers. But, as our correspondent’s questions are such as 
are of general interest, we will be as explicit as possi¬ 
ble. 
ist. Gardenia Radicans.—The several species of the 
Gardenia, popularly known as Cape Jessamine, are 
general favorites in the greenhouse, and with proper 
treatment can be made useful as bedding plants. They 
are plants that have long been in cultivation, having 
been first introduced from China in 1754. With one or 
two exceptions they are all evergreen shrubs, mostly 
possessing a dense compact habit of growth. They are 
easily grown and are remarkably free bloomers, but 
there is one point in their cultivation that must not be 
overlooked, viz., that where they are required to be 
grown in anything approaching a condition that will 
fully exemplify their flowering capabilities, they must 
be kept free from the attacks of insects of the worst 
description, such as mealy-bug, with which pest they 
are great favorites; the natural habit of the plants par¬ 
ticularly further the increase of this insect, which, if 
once it obtain a footing, will give an unlimited amount 
of trouble unless completely eradicated. The plants 
are readily propagated by cuttings from half-ripened 
shoots, taken off in March, and given a good strong 
heat. They should be potted in a strong, rich loam, and 
during fall and early winter kept in a cool house, 
and given but little water. About the first of February 
give them plenty of heat, light and moisture, and they 
will quickly develop their buds which were formed the 
previous summer. Our best plan has been to grow 
them in the garden during summer, and pot them be¬ 
fore there is danger of frost. If required, they can be 
kept dormant until it is time to plant them out in the 
spring, then they will flower freely during the early 
summer. For this purpose a partially-sha'ded situation 
is preferable. 
2 d. Rhynchospermum Jasminoides.—The profuse 
flowering habit of this plant, its handsome foliage, and 
pretty white flowers of the most delicious fragrance, 
combine to make it one of the most desirable green¬ 
house climbers. Another point in its favor is the ease 
with which it can be grown as a pot-plant, and trained 
into any desired form. It is one of the few plants from 
which we may cut largely, without injury to the plant, 
and the flowers have a chaste and beautiful effect 
wherever cut-flowers are used. It is best grown in pots, 
in a rich turfy loam, with a liberal mixture of coarse, 
crushed bone, then the plant will not often require 
shifting. After flowering, say in May, stimulate growth 
of new wood by liquid manure, and train the young 
growth in any desired shape. During August and Sep¬ 
tember give them all the heat possible, in order to 
thoroughly ripen the wood, as on this condition the 
production of fine heads of flowers depends. When the 
plants are well ripened, they can be forced successfully 
into bloom all through the winter season. It will do 
well as a house-plant, provided it has a warm and sunny 
situation. One great advantage this plant possesses is 
that when once it has grown to a useful size, it may be 
kept for some years in that state by pruning it freely 
after it has flowered, aud the older the plants are the 
more freely do they produce flowers. After they have 
made this growth, and the plants are at rest, they may 
be kept in almost any situation, light or dark, without 
injury, until they are brought forward for flowering. 
3d. Clerodendron Balfouri .—It is difficult to conceive 
a more beautiful object than this plant when well cul¬ 
tivated. It is propagated by cuttings taken off any 
time during summer, or in winter, if given bottom heat. 
After the cuttings are rooted, they should be kept in 
small pots in any convenient place in the greenhouse. 
About the first of February re-pot them, giving them a 
liberal shift. The soil should be a rich, light loam. To 
flower freely they require frequent shiftings from 
smaller into larger pots. With this treatment they can 
be made to bloom continously during the entire season. 
Old plants can be grown on with occasional shiftings, 
and make splendid plants for garden decoration during 
summer. This must, however, have a shaded situation. 
When flowering, water freely, in order that they may 
make a good growth; after which they should have 
partial sun to ripen the wood. If not wanted for winter 
flowering, remove the plants in the fall to a light cellar, 
free from frost, giving them through the winter just 
water enough to sustain life. In the spring, when all 
danger from frost is over, remove the plants to any de¬ 
sired position in the garden, for another season of bloom. 
