If there exist now, among the rich collection of improved European greenhouse plants, any new ones which surpass old-fashioned kinds in beauty of foliage and flowers, the Gloxinias undoubtedly are conspicuous.

These charming Gesneriaceae, introduced into Prance in 1835, were forgotten for some years. Several intelligent horticulturists, however, gave careful attention to them, and since 1852 nearly a hundred varieties have been obtained from numerous beds, as the result of the care given them.

Until now the culture of these plants has not always succeeded with those who have attempted to grow them, and some have been discouraged after ineffectual attempts. My own experience, however, has proved to me, that the culture is not difficult, and that the plants themselves are not delicate.

I have tried them in pure vegetable mould, and in mixed soil, and the results have been equally satisfactory.

Towards January, the most favorable season for the repotting of Gloxinias, they are placed in 2-inch pots, in a peat soil; these pots are placed on shelves in the greenhouse, away from too much moisture. Six weeks after, when the plants have leaves, and the roots are too much restrained in these pots, they should be repotted in 4-inch pots, in a powdered peat soil; for Gloxinia roots, being very slender, more easily penetrate the earth, and are less likely to suffer from moisture, yet the precaution of filling the bottom of the pots with broken pieces must be taken before placing the plants in them.

If it be desirable to flower them early, they may be left, without any inconvenience, in these pots, depriving them of nourishment; the sap, absorbed by the leaves, and restrained in its progress, obliges the buds to be fully developed, and produces flowers earlier. If strong plants are wanted, a third repotting may be given them, and thus retard the flowering a month; but in, revenge the flowers and leaves will rival each other in vigor and beauty. The flowering continues three months, and as fast as faded ones disappear, fresh ones follow.

Towards September vegetation is slackened; the watering may be gradually discontinued, and through the summer they will scarcely need attention, since Gloxinias only want water when thoroughly dry; it is well to sprinkle the leaves on warm evenings. From the 15th of September to the 1st of October, the roots should be left to dry, laid in pots by the beds, mixed with a dry peat soil, and then ranged along the greenhouse shelves, or in a suitable room, protected from frost.

Cuttings may be made at any time of year, but May is the best time. With a leaf, twenty-five or thirty may be made, by dividing all its membranous parts; the best and most usual way is as follows: take a leaf, cut around the base of the petiole, place it in a cutting pot under glass, in a propagating house. Six weeks after, the plants are taken up; repot them in 2-inch pots, keeping them so till September, at which time they are to be treated as before mentioned,always taking care to pinch the leaf, which will be forced then to make a fresh bud. A Dutch greenhouse is especially suited to Gloxinias, of the temperature of 77 to 110 degrees. The strong rays of the sun will be intercepted by the trellis or paling; when the temperature exceeds 110 degrees, open the greenhouse doors. - Revue Her-ticole.