50 
CUPHEA AND HYDROLEA. 
ing plants. From this habit of continued activity it will be 
readily imagined that their propagation is not a difficult matter. 
Cuttings of the young branches taken off any time between 
March and September root with facility if potted in sandy peat, 
and protected from exhaustion by covering with a glass. In the 
early spring it may be necessary to increase the heat for cuttings 
a little above that the parent plant has been accustomed to, as 
is usual with most plants at the same season, but after May they 
may be readily struck in a cold frame, and in either case will 
protrude roots and be fit for potting in about a fortnight. The 
additional warmth applied in the early striking should be given 
in the way of bottom heat, as it is thus most beneficial, and the 
young plants, wffien first potted, are equally benefited by a con¬ 
tinuance of the course, and a good deal of time is saved by 
hastening their progress in this manner. Supposing cuttings to 
be struck in the early part of March, we would continue them 
in a temperature of about 65° till the end of the month, when 
they will require to be repotted and arrive at another stage of 
their existence. Up to this time the object in their management 
is merely a quick development of foliated parts and roots, and to 
further this a high moist atmosphere is kept about them, with 
light porous soil to encourage the multiplication of roots ; but 
after this repotting an additional object must be sought: it will 
then be necessary to solidify the previous formations, and induce 
through the succeeding developments a sturdy, close-jointed, 
robust character as the most likely to result in a copious produc¬ 
tion of flowers. To this end the strength of the soil should be 
increased by adding to the light, sandy, peat soil previously used 
a portion of turfy loam, and at the same time that the extra food 
thus supplied may be properly elaborated, an increase of light 
and air must be given the plant. The latter implies a diminu¬ 
tion of temperature, which in itself is sufficient to check any 
undue extension of the head, which under such circumstances 
can only increase in proportion to the spread of the roots and 
the supply of nutriment derived through their means. This is 
just the condition of a healthy, vigorous plant, and such a course 
of treatment cannot fail to ensure thriving specimens fit for re¬ 
moval to their final positions by the end of May. If they are 
intended to continue in doors as ornaments to the greenhouse or 
