Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/200

186 with healthy shoots from the bottom to the top and nicely in flower. When first planted they should have as much attention and skill employed upon them as is brought to bear upon growing specimens for exhibition, and unless this is done in the first instance, it is a difficult matter to make them first-rate afterwards. If planted out in light rich soil, and regularly stopped and trained until they get into shape, they will be superior to the best pot-plants ever grown in this country.

.&mdash;G. polymorplium splendens is a pretty neat little thing for choice spots, and where it can get plenty of light and air. It should be grown in peat mixed with a little fibry loam and plenty of silver sand. As it is rather a delicate-rooted plant, water must be applied carefully, so that it does not get too much or too little. Unless it can be placed in a position where it can have the proper treatment, one of the stronger-growing plants had bettterbetter [sic] be employed.

.&mdash;H. elegans and H. fasciculatus are both admirable subjects for walls and pillars, but best for the latter, and especially useful for supplying an abundance of cut flowers for the bouquet and table. The flowers are rosy crimson, and of good substance, and last fresh and good for some time after being cut. The side-branches should be cut back to a couple of eyes in much the same manner as a grape vine. Red-spider is partial to it, therefore it should not suffer for want of water at the roots, and a good syringing now and then will help to keep these abominable pests in subjection.

.&mdash;H. carnosa and H. carnosa variegata are both valuable plants for training over the roof. They are vigorous growers, with compact massive-looking foliage. The flowers show better when the plants are trained overhead. Plenty of water in the summer, and rather dry when at rest, are the chief points to consider. Mix a little peat and plenty of crocks broken small with the soil. A branch laid in a 6-in. pot will soon root and make a plant. In a cool house the Hoya is of no use at all.

.J. azoricum and J. grandiflorum are both highly fragrant, and the latter has the additional qualification of