LOBELIA. 341 



of March, or in the beginning of April, they are 

 again moved into larger pots, and in the middle 

 of May they 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, 

 which 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 weU 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 earthen 

 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 



