THE GLOXINIA. 
73 
THE GLOXINIA. 
WITH AN ENGRAVING OF G. FYFIANA. 
The recurrence of a noticeable menfber of this beautiful genus 
is always a matter of gratulation with us, for, as we have on pre¬ 
vious occasions pointed out, there is scarcely a more interesting, 
ornamental, or easily-managed family of plants to be named. 
Every improvement or variation of the ordinary character of the 
genus has hitherto been received by flower-growers in a manner 
most flattering to their fortunate originators, because of the 
valuable assistance thus afforded through their means. How 
cordial the welcome of the present subject, possessing as it does 
so thoroughly distinct an appearance, may then be readily ima¬ 
gined. To Messrs. Drysdale and Co., Nurserymen, of Glasgow, 
we are indebted for our knowledge of the plant and for the ac¬ 
companying communication relative to its history: 
“ Gloxinia Fyfiana was raised from seed saved in 1844, sup¬ 
posed to have been taken from G. maxima , by Mr. John Fyfe, 
gardener, of Rothsaye, Bute. Nothing certain, however, is known 
of its parentage ; the resemblance in colour only leading to the 
supposition that such is its origin. It flowered for the first 
time in the summer of 1845, and has necessarily been much 
admired.” 
What we have advanced on former occasions respecting the 
culture of this genus, we again repeat—that in every garden 
where accommodation exists of a common frame and upwards. 
Gloxinias may be made to form a prominent feature in the orna¬ 
mental portion of the collection. It is not mere assumption to 
say, that a stove or even greenhouse is totally unnecessary, be¬ 
cause as fine specimens as need be desired have been produced 
with no other aid than a slight hot-bed and a single-light frame, 
which, happening under our immediate cognizance, precludes 
further doubt, and reduces the subject to a plain matter of fact. 
The course of management to be pursued under such circum¬ 
stances, is to provide early in March a sufficient quantity of hot 
stable-dung, and by turning and shaking it with a fork, to im¬ 
part an equable warmth of a moderate quality through the entire 
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