Sàgus, Sago-palm. We are of opinion that the true palm from which the sago of the shops is produced, has not been introduced into our collections. It is very rare in the most extensive collections of Europe, but is not so fine as the one we have under the Sago, which is placed in the natural order of Cycadeæ; and Sagus is in that of Palmæ. The finest of this genus is S. vinífera and S. Rúmphii. They grow to a great height; even in artificial cultivation they may be seen from ten to twenty-five feet. We have not introduced them here for their beauty, but to prevent error.
Solándra, a genus of four species, remarkable for the extraordinary size of their flowers, and are considered beautiful. S. grandiflòra and S. viridiflòra are the two best. The plants will bloom best if they are restricted in pot room, and are only introduced as being worthy of cultivation. If they are repotted once in two or three years, it is sufficient, except where the plants are small and want encouragement.
Strophánthus, a small genus of beautiful tropical shrubs. The segments of the corolla are curiously twisted before expansion. S. divérgens is a neat spreading shrub, with yellow flowers, a little tinged with red; the petals are about four inches long, undulate, lanceolate. S. dichótomus is rose coloured, corolla funnel shaped. The plants will flower freely in a strong moist heat. Drain the pots well.
Swietènia (mahogany-tree), the wood of which is celebrated in cabinet-work. S. Mahógoni, common. This tree varies much in general appearance according to soil and situation. The leaves are pinnated in four pairs; leaflets ovate, lanceolate; flowers small, white, in axillary panicles. S. fubrifùga, leaves pinnated, in four pairs; leaflets elliptical; flowers white, in terminale panicles. The wood of the last is the most durable of any in the East Indies. They are fine plants, and require heat and pot room to produce flowers.
Tecòma, a genus of plants closely allied to Bignònia, and are free-flowering; several of them much esteemed. T. móllis, T. digitàta, and T. splèndida, are the most beautiful of those that belong to the Hot-house. They have large orange coloured, tubular, inflated, ringent flowers, in loose panicles. There is a plant known in our collections as Bignònia stáns, which is now T. stàns; has pinnated leaves, with oblong, lanceolate, serrated, leaflets; flowers in simple terminale, raceme, and of a yellow colour, and sometimes known by Ash-leaved Bignònia. It will always have a sickly aspect, if not well encouraged in light rich soil. Drain the pots well, as much moisture disfigures the foliage.
Tabernæmontána, a genus of little beauty, except for one or two species. A plant known in some collections as Nèrium coronàrium, is now, and properly, T. coronària. The variety, flòre plèno, is the one most deserving of culture, and will flower profusely from May to August; the flowers are double white, fragrant, and divaricating. The plant will lose its foliage if not kept in a strong heat; therefore place it in the warmest part of the Hot-house. T. densiflòra is a fine species, but very rare. Drain all the plants well, and keep them in the shade during summer.
Thrinax parviflòra, is a fine dwarf palm of the West Indies, with palmated fronds, plaited with stiff, lanceolate segments. The plant is of easy cultivation, and will grow in any soil.
Zàmia, a genus of plants in the natural order of Cycadeæ. Several species of them are admired. Z. média, Z. furfuràcea, Z. ténuis, Z. integrifòlia, are the most showy that belong to the Hot-house. The whole genus is frequently kept in this department. They are all plants of a slow growth, and the beauty is entirely in the pinnated fronds, with from ten to forty pairs of leaflets. The pots must be well drained.
Those genera of plants which we have enumerated under the head of repotting in this or next month, are composed of the finest Hot-house plants that have come under our observation. There are perhaps a few of them that are not to be found in the United States, or even on our continent; but the great object, in a choice collection of plants, is to have the finest from all parts of the known world. There are many plants whose nature does not require much support from soil, which is frequently observed in those that are mentioned. And there are many hundreds of plants desirable for beauty, ornament, and curiosity, which are not specified, our limits not permitting such an extended detail. Those whose nature agrees better with repotting at other periods, shall be noticed, especially those that are in the collections of the country. We have previously observed, that plants ought not to be flooded with water when newly potted, as it saturates the soil before the roots have taken hold of it; and that the best draining for pots is small gravel or potshreds broken fine. We wish it to be understood that when plants are repotted, any irregular branch or shoot should be lopped off, that cannot be tied in to advantage. And repotting may take place either before or after the plants are exposed to the open air, according to convenience.