CULTIVATION OF THUNBERGIA. 
113 
completely to cover a trellis of six feet circumference, and that, 
too, with very little trouble, the flowers numbering nearly one 
hundred and fifty expanded at one time, which was kept up 
until the middle of October, to the admiration of all who saw it, 
which was not a few as it was in a good thoroughfare; many 
persons stopping to look at the strange plant, and some half 
dozen making bold to knock at the door to inquire the name of 
our window beauty. 
I will relate to you my system of cultivation; though somewhat 
dissuaded from the attempt by the representation of the person 
of whom I purchased them, who stated that it was a stove-plant 
and of difficult culture, but being strongly prejudiced in favour, 
I determined to possess two plants of Thunbergia alata, and 
potted them in a twenty-four-size pot, in peat, leaf-mould, and 
a small quantity of loam, sufficient silver sand being added to 
make all porous; after placing them in a south window my plants 
progressed well and to my satisfaction, and they soon came into 
bloom; when lo ! the flowers began to fall without expanding 
(much to my regret). I made every inquiry of those who I 
thought could assist me, but without success; still, I may say, 
obstinate in my endeavour to overcome the difficulty, and con¬ 
sidering if I succeeded so far as to bloom them, there must be a 
cause for the apparent failure,—as a last resource, I repotted 
them into a twelve-size pot, and in one week I had the gratifica¬ 
tion to see the objects of my regard again in a good state, and 
soon after in fall flower to the extent I above stated, which con¬ 
tinued until the middle of October a perfect picture ; the foliage 
looking healthy to the last, which is not always the case: the 
cause of which I conceive to be the want of pot-room, in this 
particular I conceive them to be very impatient, as my plants 
were not by any means what is termed pot-bound. 
I should have stated also that I occasionally watered them all 
over, laying the pot with the front downward to do as little injury 
to the flowers as possible. Leaving this entirely for you to make 
what use of it you please, hoping it will be the cause of the more 
extensive cultivation of my favorites, which I feel confident 
needs only a trial to be as great a favorite with all. 
Sub-Novice. 
t. 
10 
