ON STAPELIA. 
151 
they are then, of course, in a sunny situation in the greenhouse. 
As soon as the last blooms are off, I immediately begin to reduce 
the quantity of water given. This should be done by degrees. 
From the end of October I give them none at all, till the com¬ 
mencement of the next growing season, keeping them, in the 
mean time, in a light, airy part of the house. About the end of 
February, or beginning of March, by which time the sun would 
be gaining too much power to render it safe to leave them longer 
without water, I repot such as require it into a mixture of very 
sandy loam, using a little peat, and give them a good drainage. 
A few pieces of potsherds mixed with the soil, so as to come 
between the roots, is a great assistance to them. The pots should 
be as small as convenient to hold the roots when potted. I give 
them a very gentle watering, to settle the earth, and then place 
them in a stove, vinery at work, or any other place in which I 
can secure a good steady heat. Those who have not the above 
convenience may attain the same end by placing them in a 
cucumber or melon frame, though, in that case, it is necessary to 
place a brick under each pot. But here it must be understood 
that Stapelias and cucumbers are not to be grown together ; as, 
when placed in this heat, the Stajpelia would require a far greater 
supply of air than would be compatible with the well-being of the 
cucumbers ; yet a small frame filled with these, and a few Cacti 
for early flowering, would well repay the trouble occasioned. 
When placed in the desired heat, I water them gently for the 
first few weeks ; then increase it by degrees to a good supply every 
day. By the beginning of May they will show flower. Continue 
the water and heat till the flowers expand ; then remove them to 
the greenhouse. Here, too, they require plenty of water, and a 
place in which they can enjoy the sun all day, until the expiration 
of the growing season. With this treatment I have, at the pre¬ 
sent time (end of May), several plants blowing beautifully. 
I may here remark, that there are a few species which require 
rather a larger quantity of loam in the composts. These may be 
easily known by their robust habits. Such are S. grandijlora , 
S. ambigua, S. fissirostris, S. ramosa , and S. Massonii. Others, 
again, which are smaller, require a lighter soil and a greater heat, 
or, rather, a longer continuation of it, to bloom them well. Of 
these I may mention, S. acuminata , S. hircosa , S. hamata, S. aste- 
rias, and S. pulchra. This last is the Podanthes of Haworth. 
