92 
THE FLORIST’S LETTER-BOX. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FLORIST S JOURNAL. 
Having a large plant of Cactus speciosissimus intended for 
an exhibition at the end of June, the dower-buds just appear¬ 
ing, are they too forward for the above, and should they be 
retarded ? 
[N.B.-—The plant is located in a warm greenhouse.] 
The treatment of Nerium splendens to bring it into bloom ? 
And the best mode of raising Lysianthus Russellianus from 
seed, having tried several times without success ? 
R.W. C. 
Feb. 23 , 1842 . 
« R. W. C.” The Cactus intended for exhibition in June had 
better be kept in a cool greenhouse till the middle of the pre¬ 
sent month, observing to keep it dry, at which time it should be 
removed to a gentle heat; for the first week or ten days it should 
be kept without water, after which a little maybe given, in¬ 
creasing the supply as the flowers increase in size. The atmo¬ 
sphere of the place it is in should be kept moist, varying the 
supply of water and of sun ; heat will give great command 
over the flowers; these it should be endeavoured to have open 
about two days before the exhibition, that time being necessary 
to get them of a good colour, for which purpose remove the 
plants, as soon as the greater number of flowers are open, back 
to a cool situation in the greenhouse. 
Nevium splendens. Keep the plant cool and diy till the 
middle of May ; then place it into a gentle moist heat; give 
but little water till it shows flowers; then, as the flowering in¬ 
creases, it must be watered freely, and frequently syringed. 
Lysianthus Russellianus. The seed of this plant should be 
sown in July or August in shallow pans, the soil should be light, 
and the seeds barely covered. When the plants are large enough 
to handle, they should be potted singly into thumb-pots, and 
