CALCEOLARIA

(from calceolus, a little slipper, in allusion to the form of the corolla; the form cal ceo lari us, shoemaker, probably chosen to include a reference to F. Calceolari, an Italian botanist of the sixteenth century). Slipperwort. O RD. Scrophularineæ. A genus of hardy or half-hardy shrubs, sub-shrubs or herbs. Peduncles one or many-flowered, axillary or terminal, corymbose; corolla with a very short tube; limb bilabiate; upper lip short, truncately rounded, entire; lower lip large, concave, slipper-shaped. Leaves opposite, sometimes three in a whorl, rarely alternate. S HRUBBY S ECTION . In addition to the widely-known utility of this cla for bedding purposes, they are fine decorative plants when well grown, and useful alike in conservatory or dwelling house. It will be found more convenient to grow these in a pit or frame, as in such places they are le liable to the attacks of fly, and make sturdier growth. If large plants are required, cuttings should be taken in August, placed in a cold frame facing the north, in sandy soil, and, when rooted, potted off into 3in. pots. They should then be placed in a light sunny frame, where they may remain until the middle of February. The points should then be pinched out. When the plants break, they must be shifted into 48-sized pots. If there are from four to six breaks to each plant, it will be sufficient; but, should such not be the case, the plants must be stopped again, when the requisite number will probably be obtained. Directly the roots touch the pots, the plants should be transferred to 7in. or 8in. pots, in which they will flower, and the shoots must be tied out so as to develop fully. Every effort should be exerted to keep the foliage green to the base of the plants, and they should be fumigated on the first appearance of green fly. As the flower-spikes are thrown up, weak liquid manure, applied two or three times a week, will prove beneficial. For potting, the following compost is most suitable: One-half good fibrous loam, one-eighth thoroughly rotted manure, and the remainder leaf soil, with enough sharp sand to keep the whole open. During frosty weather, of course, it will be nece ary to protect the frames with mats, and to water judiciously, to avoid damping. Those plants intended for bedding will not require to be repotted, but should be inserted, about 3in. apart, in sandy soil, in a cold frame. The tops must be taken off early in March; and from the middle of April to the middle of May, they may be planted out where they are to remain. Should frosty weather, accompanied by drying winds, ensue, the plants will require the protection of inverted flower-pots, with pieces of slate or crock placed over the holes. A good soil, abundantly enriched with rotten manure, is most desirable for them. IMG:7081556231692414330_i_239.jpg: F IG . 321. H ERBACEOUS C ALCEOLARIA . Varieties. These are very numerous. The best of them are the following: B IJOU , dark red, very free; G AINE'S Y ELLOW , rich deep yellow, extremely free; G ENERAL H AVELOCK , crimson-scarlet, very fine; G OLDEN G EM , bright yellow, perhaps the best; S PARKLER , crimson-gold, dwarf; V ICTORIA , dark maroon, very attractive. H ERBACEOUS S ECTION . These, like the preceding, are very useful, both for house and conservatory decoration (see Fig. 321). A packet of seed from a first-cla firm will, if properly managed, produce a good percentage of excellent flowers. The seed may be sown from June to August, when large batches are required (when only one sowing is made, July will be the best month), on pans of light, sandy soil, which should be soaked with water before sowing. Care must be taken to make the surface of the soil level, and also to sow the seed as evenly as po ible. It is better not to cover with soil, but a sheet of gla should be laid over the pan, which must be placed in a shady part of the greenhouse or cold frame until the young plants show the first leaf. The gla can then be gradually removed. When large enough to handle, the seedlings must be pricked out, about 2in. asunder, in pans or boxes, and placed in a close, shaded situation. As soon as of sufficient size, they must be placed singly in 3in. pots, returned to the frame, kept close for a few days, and as near the gla as po ible, to make them sturdy. When nece ary, they should be shifted into 5in. pots, in which they may be kept through the winter; or the later batches may be placed in small pots. By the end of October or early in November, the plants will be strong and fit for wintering; at this stage, the best place for them is in a dry, frost-proof pit, or on an airy shelf of the greenhouse, giving them sufficient water to prevent flagging. All dead leaves must be removed. On the first appearance of green fly, the plants should be fumigated with tobacco. From the end of January onwards, in order to encourage growth, the plants should be removed into 7in. or 8in. pots, giving plenty of drainage, and a compost consisting of one-half good light fibrous loam, one-fourth thoroughly decayed sheep manure, and one-fourth leaf soil, to which must be added sufficient coarse sand to keep the whole open. After potting, the plants must be again placed in the same position, and, as they require it, plenty of room given. Careful attention to watering is nece ary, as they must not be allowed to get dry. Air must be given on all suitable occasions. The flower-stems, as they require it, should be supported with small neat sticks. About May, the plants will commence to bloom, and continue to do so for a couple of months. The best flowers should be selected, and cro -fertilised with a camel-hair pencil, in order to produce a good strain of seed for future sowing. The attention of horticulturists appears to be almost wholly confined to the innumerable hybrids raised from amplexicaul is , a rach no idea , corymbosa , integrifolia , purpure a , thyrsi flora , and a few others. Very few pure species are seen in cultivation, although most of them are well worth growing.