268 THE FLORIST. 



be used in a rough state, and it should be Hberally mixed with sharp 

 sand. The plants should be returned to the pit, and they will re- 

 quire no further attention than that of being; supplied with water as 

 may be necessary. 



The plants intended for early flowering should not have their 

 flower-stems pinched out after the beginning or middle of September, 

 and they may be removed to the greenhouse or sitting-room window 

 as soon as they are wanted. Those intended for late flowering 

 should be allowed to remain in the pit as long as they can be conve- 

 viently guarded from frost and damp. In order to secure large spe- 

 cimens, there will be no occasion for artificial heat, as, if they have 

 been treated with ordinary care, they will be already satisfactory in 

 that respect. During their flowering season, which may be from 

 October to May, they should be placed in a situation near the glass, 

 where they will receive abundance of air, and they should be liberally 

 supplied with water, taking care not to wet the flowers. Plants 

 treated in this manner will be among the showiest and most satis- 

 factory of winter flowering-plants which the amateur can grow ; 

 very diff^erent from puny, starved specimens in 5 -inch pots, as some 

 of your contributors have recommended. When they go out of 

 flower, or rather as their places can be filled with other things, for 

 they will blossom incessantly for twelve months or more, they may 

 be thrown away, merely reserving some few of the best varieties 

 with a view to furnish seed or cuttings. As soon as the weather 

 will permit, these should be removed to a shady place out of doors, 

 and, after they have become inured to the open air, they may be placed 

 in a situation where they will receive more sun and air. 



The propagation by cuttings is so simple that I need only state 

 that the cuttings may be put in at any time during the summer or 

 autumn, so as to allow of their being rooted before the arrival of the 

 dull days of winter. They may be treated during the latter season, 

 and following periods of their growth, exactly as recommended for 

 seedlings. I ought to have stated, however, that if the cuttings are 

 put in directly they are separated from the plants, they will be liable 

 to damp oflf, particularly if stripped of their leaves and the fresh 

 wounds buried in damp soil ; and as I have known several kill their 

 plants through inattention to this, I would advise that they be all 

 had through hand a week previous to potting, having as many leaves 

 removed as may be discoloured, and that cuttings be trimmed a week 

 previous to their removal from the plant. This aftbrds time for the 

 air to dry up the wounds, and prevents disappointment and loss. 

 Those who prefer the double varieties may grow them, and will find 

 them just as easily managed, and to require exactly the same treat- 

 ment as the single propagated by cuttings. I greatly prefer the best 

 fimbriated sorts of the single to the double, and esteem them more 

 beautiful, and equally, if not more showy. 



QUISQUALIS. 



