16 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



as many as twenty-six, and in others nearly fifty, varieties are men- 

 tioned as imported from abroad. I will not presume to say that 

 these are not all beautiful ; but for any person who has not very 

 extensive accommodation at his command, it would be useless to aim 

 at cultivatinf^ more than twelve varieties ; and as these should em- 

 brace most selfs in colour, it would be better to depend on the seeds 

 that have been carefully saved from some home-grown collection, as 

 I believe English growers are more anxious for decided colours, and 

 as a rule abhor those indescribable and sometimes muddy half and 

 quarter tints that Continental fanciers are so fond of. 



The seed of the balsam is supposed to retain its vitality for a 

 great number of years, and is said to improve by age, combined with 

 the certainty of obtaining superior double flowers. I can say from 

 experience, that well-kept old seed germinates nearly as quickly and 

 certainly as the newest, but I am not prepared to say that the older 

 it is the better. 



I will now proceed to detail the principal outlines of culture ; and 

 although to the growers of rare stove and greenhouse plants tlieir 

 treatment may appear very simple, yet it must not be forgotten that 

 all that is required of them, both in growth and production of 

 flowers, has to be obtained within a very limited period; so that more 

 than ordinary assiduity on the part of the cultivator is necessary, if 

 perfection of plant and flower is his aim. 



The seed should be sown in March, April, and May, but should 

 never be deferred later than the first week in May. They are best 

 vegetated in a moderate bottom-heat as soon as they are up ; let the 

 pot be elevated, so that the plants may have the benefit of lif;ht and 

 air to prevent their being drawn up weakly. When sufficiently 

 strong, and you can just perceive the appearance of their first rough 

 leaves, prick them out about an inch apart into wide-mouth shallow 

 pots or pans, keeping them still in the same heat. Be careful of the 

 supply of water, or you may have numbers of them damp off" ; yet 

 give enough to keep them growing freely, and shade during sunny 

 days. AVhen you think they have become sufliciently rooted in the 

 soil as to bear being potted singly into 60-size pots, then sepa- 

 rate them with care, by retaining some portion of the soil to their 

 roots. AYhen potting, let them be put in to the depth of their seed- 

 leaves if possible, although by such practice a few may damp off" if 

 not closely watched. Otherwise it will promote a bushy habit in the 

 commencement of the plant's growth, by causing the lower branches 

 to be nearer the surface of the soil ; and in every stage of potting 

 the same process should be adopted. If you have the convenience, 

 plunge the pots in a mild bottom-heat. A tan-bed, the heat of which 

 is rather on the decline, is a capital place for them at this stage. 

 When they have filled the 60-size pots with roots, pot them into 

 48-size pots. As they grow, let them have a gentle syringing 

 every afternoon when you shut up. From these pots they may be 

 shifted into their final or flowering pots, which should not be less 

 than eight inches in width and ueptli. If large plants are your 

 object, they may now be put into pits which have no bottom-lieat,. 

 the only warmth being derived from stored-up sun-heat. To pro- 



