secretary's budget. 365 



PRUNING. , 



Shorten the shoots of young Fuchsias, Lemon-scented Verbena 

 and other plants that are likely to become too long and spindly ; a 

 short, stocky growth is more to be desired than long slender shoots. 

 In shortening the shoots of plants do not merely pinch oflF the tips, as 

 that is apt to cause the next end eye to grow out without inducing the 

 lower ones to start; but, instead, shorten the shoots well back, and 

 that will tend to cause all the lower eyes to grow out together. 



REPOTTING PLANTS FOR FALL. 



Plants that we have kept for winter blooming as Carnations,. 

 Chinese Primroses, Cyclamens, Callas and Libonias should not now be 

 repotted; but young plants of Fuchsias, Lady Washington Pelargon- 

 iums, Scarlet Geraniums, Petunias and Marigolds that we desire to 

 come into bloom between now and next June may be repotted Young 

 plants of Geraniums, Coleuses, Ageratums and other summer garden 

 flowers that have been wintered in small pots, or several in a pot, may 

 now if we have room for them, be shaken out and ropotted. 



In repotting summer garden plants the ball of roots should be un- 

 ravelled, else in after months the matted ball will check the vigorous 

 root action of the plants and render them an easier prey to drouth than 

 would be the case were the roots disentangled. 



Young plants raised now from euttings or seeds should be grown 

 along unchecked till they reach their desired proportions, hence 

 should be repotted as often as necessary. 



Ferns should be repotted. If their present pots are large shake 

 out the Ferns and put them into smaller pots; if too small change 

 into one size larger only. 



Over potting is very injurious to plants. Many plants will not 

 need repotting, but all need seeing to that the drainage is good, and 

 there are no worms in the soil. Camellias and Azaleas do not need 

 repotting eyery year, in fact, after they become large plants, once in 

 three or more years is enough. In repotting quick growing plants that 

 are to remain in the pots only a few weeks as "bedding" plants in 

 spring, or free- rooting plants in small pots at anytime, draining the 

 pots is needless; but in the case of Cyclamens, Pelargoniums, Cytisus 

 and other plants that we bloom in pots, draining is an advantage. 



The drainage may consist of broken pieces of pots, pounded bricks- 

 or rotten stone or similar material, and over that some half rotted 

 leaves, dry chafty manure, or rough soii, but the common plan of a 



