THE GARDEN ALBUM AND REVIEW. 
Drought carried to extremes is equally harmful, as these plants, having no 
pseudo-bulbs to support them, will, if allowed to become too dry during their 
inactive period, lose their leaves, and this would be prejudicial to future 
growth. Shading should have close attention during early spring, but the 
plants should never be densely shaded. The method of stippling the glass 
over with one of the many summer shadings is a good one, using only a thin 
coat so as to admit plenty of light, and over this an ordinary tiffany blind 
that can be rolled down during bright sunny weather. A close stuffy atmos¬ 
phere must always be avoided, much better results being attained with these 
plants when there is a free admittance of fresh air to the house on all suitable 
occasions. 
A BEAUTIFUL STOVE-PLANT. 
(ruellia macrantha). 
Of the many beautiful species of Ruellia 
which are now in cultivation the subject of 
this brief note may be said to well merit the 
high opinion which has been formed of its 
exceeding beauty. There are few stove plants 
flowering at this season of the year which 
afford such infinite pleasure, and more than 
compensate the cultivator for any extra atten¬ 
tion which he may have bestowed upon them. 
The flowers of this species are large, trumpet 
shaped, borne axillary, and are of an exquisite 
rosy-purple colour, with a light, delicately- 
veined throat. The leaves are long, lanceolate, 
and of a deep green colour when well grown. 
The most suitable compost for Ruellias 
consists of good fibrous loam, peat, and enough 
sand to keep the whole porous. No difficulties 
whatever should be encountered in the 
successful culture of these plants, providing 
they are given stove or intermediate house 
treatment. At no period of their growth 
should they be allowed to become starved at 
the roots, as such treatment will cause the 
plants to become denuded of their foliage, 
and greatly detract from their ornamental 
appearance when producing their inflorescence. 
Propagation may be readily effected from 
cuttings obtained after the old plants have 
been cut back. I have found it a good practice 
to grow two plants in a 6-inch pot, allowing 
two shoots to grow away from each plant.— 
Gardening World. 
Monstera deliciosa. —This is a very striking 
plant and is generally grown in the stove. But 
it is quite at home in a warm greenhouse. 
I remember seeing it planted out in the bed of 
a Billbergia House in strong loam at Pendell 
Court where it grew very luxuriantly, and had 
to be cut back at different times to keep from 
overcrowding other plants. Its great perforated 
leaves looked so singular that it was immedi¬ 
ately noticed by any one coming into the 
house. It is used freely for church decorations 
in some places, and is well adapted for such 
work.— J. Kennedy , Abertillery , Mon. 
WANTED, a complete set of The Orchid 
Review. State price and condition to G.A.P., 
Garden Album Office, Isleworth. 
POT CULTURE OF THE 
SCHIZANTHUS. 
Annuals which commend themselves for pot- 
culture are especially valuable to amateur 
gardeners, because of their usually limited 
facilities, and amongst them few are more 
attractive than the Schizanthus. Being only 
half-hardy, cool greenhouse treatment suits 
them admirably. The seeds should be sown 
thinly, in well-drained pots, filled to within half 
an inch of the top with a rather fine compost 
consisting of two parts loam and one part of 
leaf-soil, with the usual dash of sand, all well 
intermixed, and only lightly covered. Place on 
a shelf, with a square of obscured glass above, 
till germination takes place, when light should 
be gradually admitted. When fit to handle 
with freedom, the stoutest plants should be 
transferred to single thumb-pots, and kept on 
the shelf, as close to the glass as possible to 
prevent the attenuation which would otherwise 
result. Due attention to watering and potting- 
on till the flowering size is reached—they need 
not necessarily exceed six inches—is all that 
remains to be done, and in due course a beautiful 
display of butterfly-like flowers, in several 
attractive colours, will be the reward of such 
cultural care as the merest tyro may attempt. 
S. pinnatus, and its rose and white forms, con¬ 
trast prettily with the type of a lilac shade, and 
the finest of all is S. Wisetonensis, a perfect 
gem, producing quite a multitude of beautiful 
tints. A sowing made in August, and grown 
cool always near the glass, will flower in early 
spring ; ours are in flower now. The foliage 
is fern-like and pretty, and, together with the 
highly-interesting flowers, the complete plant 
presents a charming picture .—The Scottish 
Gardener. 
The Culture of the 
PEACH AND NECTARINE, 
By George McEwen. 
52pp. 8vo., with coloured plate of “ Late 
Admirable.” 
Post free, 1 6 , from the Manager, 
TALBOT VILLA, ISLEWORTH. 
