cording to the inclination or convenience of the cultivator ; if smaller 

 pots are employed, it will be found extremely difficult to maintain a 

 healthy and vigorous foliage on the plants ; and although a good 

 head of bloom may be secured, yet I think it will be admitted that 

 this with bad foliage is unsuitable for an exhibition-table ; foliage, 

 more especially, is what I aim at, almost at the expense of bloom. 

 The soil I use and prefer is, maiden loam and dung, three parts of 

 the former to two of the latter, with the addition of charcoal-dust 

 and coarse sand. Be particular as to drainage, or the foliage will be 

 sure to suffer. 



With respect to watering, I apply water as often as is neces- 

 sary, whether it be in the heat of the day or in the cool of the even- 

 ing. I frequently use the syringe from the time they are potted till 

 the time they are in bloom ; its application tends much to improve 

 the colour of the foliage, and has the additional advantage of keeping 

 the plants clean and free from insects. I am an advocate for the use 

 of liquid manure, and I give a decided preference to sheep-manure 

 water. It may be, and I believe is not so powerful as guano, but I 

 consider it a much safer manure, more especially in the hands of an 

 amateur ; I also think that it has the effect of securing a neater and 

 more compact growth, which is of importance in a specimen-plant. 

 I would advise the application of manure- w'ater from the middle of 

 July up to the time of exhibition. 



Stopping the plants appears to me to be altogether wrong, al- 

 though the practice is strongly recommended by many writers on 

 gardening. I have tried it, and can speak confidently as to the re- 

 sult, which has invariably been a decided failure. 



Be particular in tying out the plants properly in every stage of 

 their growth ; you should begin at the beginning, for if the operation 

 is neglected until the plants have attained size, it is extremely diffi- 

 cult to make them assume the desired shape. By tying, in addition to 

 form, you secure the branches from accident by wind or from other 

 causes ; and it also ensures a free circulation of air among the foliage 

 and branches. I find three sticks to each pot, placed in the form of a 

 triangle, sufficient ; through these sticks I pass three rings of wire, one 

 at the middle, the others near the top and bottom of the plant ; the 

 advantage of this mode of tying is, that it does away with the neces- 

 sity of using so many sticks, and in consequence gives the plant a 

 more natural appearance. 



I would recommend plunging the pots, but be sure you have a 

 dry bottom : in such a situation the roots are kept cool without being 

 wet ; plunging has also the advantage of preventing the plants from 

 being bluwn about by wind : be careful, however, not to plunge in a 

 wet, cold, badly drained soil. 



The time for housing the specimens depends very much upon 

 circumstances; as, for instance, the weather, the precise date on 

 which they may be required, &c. Housing w^ill have the effect of 

 slightly forwarding them : be careful not to shelter them too soon ; 

 if you doj you will lose in a few days what has been the aim of a 

 whole season to obtain, viz. good healthy foliage. 



