56 
ALSTKiEMERIAS. 
plant; yet it is but fair to state, that it is wanting in perfume. 
With some, however, this will be no objection; and even where 
the scent of the Jasmine is thought desirable, the other qualities 
of the plant will in most cases be deemed a sufficient compensa¬ 
tion for its absence. 
As regards the management of large plants, of course little is 
yet known; but, from the habits of smaller specimens, in all 
probability it will always be best to grow them as strongly as 
possible, and to adopt the downward training in preference to 
pruning, because of the larger number of flowers thus obtained, 
G. Jackson. 
ALSTfGEMERIAS. 
The recent stimulus given to the cultivation of this exceedingly 
pretty and curious tribe of plants, by the introduction among us 
of the many beautiful seminal varieties originated by Mr. Van 
Houtte, of Ghent, has induced their somewhat extensive adoption 
for the flower-garden, as well as increased the chance of meeting 
them in their old position of summer ornaments of the greenhouse ; 
and they are now fast regaining the importance that was once 
and justly attached to them. 
There is an extensive class of the flower-loving community who 
are in general successful with what they undertake in summer, 
and at that time are among the most assiduous, enjoying the 
present labour of their hands, and revelling in anticipations for 
the future; but, from some cause or other, are yearly doomed to 
disappointment in the perverse conduct of their charge, which, in 
spite of fine-weather determinations on the part of their possessors, 
continue to shuffle off their existence one by one as soon as the 
dull season of winter commences ; to such cultivators, plants like 
the present offer the greatest promise, for they require no atten¬ 
tion in winter. Alstraemerias are tuberous-rooted plants, which 
grow with vigour, and flower abundantly in summer, and then fall 
into a state of dormancy, during which they only require to be 
kept dry and free from frost; most of them are of neat dwarf 
habit, so that they may be grown in pots, and others, too large 
for such management, are hardy enough to withstand our seasons 
