NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 
99 
the roots, which is a bad plan, but generally by seed, which healthy plants produce in tolerable 
abundance, more especially if artificial impregnation be resorted to. The seed should be sown 
directly it is ripe and as early in the season as possible, using large shallow pans and a rich compost 
for the purpose, and covering the seeds not more than one-quarter of an inch deep. Place the pans in 
a gentle moist heat, water slightly, and take care that the surface of the soil does not become dry. 
As the young plants progress supply them liberally with water, and give plenty of air to make them 
strong. If a large quantity is grown, it will be best to prick the young plants out on a prepared bed, 
under a frame, and the frame should be thus prepared :—First place a good depth of draining material 
upon the ground (a snug warm corner), and then, over that, a foot or eighteen inches deep of properly 
fermented dung, or dung and leaves. When the heat has to some extent subsided, place the frame 
upon it, place a stratum of cinders or cinder-ashes over the entire surface, and then fill the frame to 
within four inches of the glass with rich compost, consisting of mellow turfy loam and peat, or 
thoroughly decomposed leaf-mould, in equal proportions, to which sufficient gritty sand may be added 
to make the whole mass light and porous; place this in the frame, and when it is warm proceed to 
prick the young plants out, taking them up as carefully as possible, so as not to injure the roots. 
The plants should be placed in rows three inches apart, as, if you wish to make the most of them, it 
is advisable not to remove them until the end of the second year, at which time the largest will be 
blooming bulbs, and the others quite of a marketable size. Supply the plants plentifully with water 
after they are established, and shut the frame up warm every afternoon ; but when the growth is 
completed, gradually decrease the water, and withdraw it altogether as the foliage begins to die off. 
Through the winter the frame must be kept quite dry, and be protected by proper covering in severe 
frost. 
In the second season the plants will start of their own accord, then remove the surface soil and 
top-dress with fresh compost, to which one-eighth of perfectly decomposed cow-dung may be added. 
Sprinkle the plants twice or thrice a-week until they get into proper growth, and then, if the weather 
is suitable, give a good root-watering, and continue to water plentifully, using weak liquid manure 
occasionally until the season’s growth is completed, then dry off as in the preceding season, and take 
up the tubers. 
When grown in pots the same rules must be observed, namely, a vigorous growing season, and a 
season of rest, and the plants should be potted early in the autumn, so as to get them thoroughly 
rooted before they are introduced for blooming. The Cyclamen will force a little in a moist tempera¬ 
ture ; but, if the plants are potted as they show symptoms of starting into growth, but little forcing 
will be necessary, as a succession of flowers may be had throughout the winter and spring months.—A. 
NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 
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(HISSUS DISCOLOR.*—This plant, which is now exciting so much interest among cultivators, on 
^ account of its exceedingly beautiful foliage, is a native of Java, and was found in the low moist valleys, 
in the interior of the Island, having for its companions the far-famed Upas-tree (Antians toxicana) ; 
several monster Arads ; two species of Amorphophallus,—campanulatus and giganteus ,—whose tubers 
measured eighteen inches in circumference, those of former having flowered since their introduction ; 
numerous species of Ficus, one of which has leaves like the common willow; another, a pretty 
little creeping sort, has something the habits of F. repens , but the leaves are more coriaceous, of a dark 
glossy green, and in form nearly falcate; and also the Fagrcea auriculata , the flowers of which are 
white, and in form and size resemble those of the old Solandra grandijlora. The Upas does not appear 
to be possessed of such active poisonous properties as have been frequently attributed to it, the taking 
off a branch, and chopping up the leaves in the hand, not producing any sensible injury, but its 
virulent properties might no doubt show themselves if taken internally. 
The Cissus discolor reached England in the autumn of 1851, and proves to be a free-growing 
* Cissus discolor , Blume Bidj., 181 ; C. mannorea , of gardens. 
_ 
