S14 FLORA HISTORICA. 



of !May tliG}^ are a third time shifted ; the pots to 

 be used for this last shifting are twelves. As soon 

 as the plants are well rooted, after the last removal, 

 they are carried into a peach -house or green-house, 

 in "which they continue till they flower, and are 

 hardy enough to bear the open air. "When they 

 are preparing to throw up their flowering stems, 

 and during their growth, it is necessary that they 

 should be kept very moist, M'hich is effected by 

 putting pans under the pots, and keeping the pans 

 constantly filled with water. The plants thus 

 managed, begin to flower early in July, and the 

 spikes continue to blow, and are covered with 

 flowers through the autumn." 



The compost used in the pots is formed of equal 

 parts of brown or yellow loam, and of leaf or bog 

 mould, to which is added sand, equal to one-fourth 

 of the previous composition, the whole being well 

 mixed together. 



The French florists tell us that when these plants 

 are raised from seed, it should be sown as soon after 

 it is ripe as possible, in earthern pans ; the earth to 

 be thoroughly moistened, and after it has imbibed 

 the water, the seed is to be spread over it without 

 being covered. These pans must be sheltered from 

 the frost, and about the month of April or May the 

 plants may be transplanted, and they may be ex- 

 pected to flower the second year. 



