GG THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



long, taken off with a heel, will root immediately in moist sand with a 

 bottom-heat of 70°. Spring-struck geraniums come into bloom so late that 

 the best part of the season is lost before they begin to be ornamental ; but 

 variegated-leaved kinds strike well now, and, as their blooms are of second- 

 ary importance, those who want supplies may keep their plants at work 

 until summer has fairly set in. 



It should be borne in mind, however, that in most places too much heat 

 is used at this time of year, and, therefore, when we speak of putting on 

 extra heat, we mean only as a measure of necessity for those who are badly 

 off as to conveniences and supply of plants. Tor all ordinary spring propa- 

 gation a temperature of 60° is quite enough ; indeed, a bottom-heat of SO 1 

 will bring on cuttings and seeds of greenhouse plants and half-hardy 

 annuals better than one of 70° or 80 3 , which are considered so essential. 

 At this time of year the amateur enjoys the advantage that he can turn 

 sun-heat to account, and thus, by means of pits and frames, increase the 

 area of accommodation for young stock. The merely consigning plants to 

 a pit or frame set in a south exposure, may or may not be a wise plan, but, 

 if the thing be done according to system, numbers of things may be com- 

 mitted to such structures which are usually nursed a month longer in the 

 greenhouse. To make the most of sun-heat put the frames on raised beds 

 of sand or gravel. The lights must be sound and Avatertight, and there 

 ought to be a set of canvas frames to keep out frost, such as were described 

 by Mr. Howlett in the Floral World of February, 1859, or, in lieu of 

 those, good mats or thatched hurdles. As fast as cuttings can be had 

 rooted from the dung-bed or AValtonian case, pot them into thumb -pots in 

 generous compost, and let them have bottom-heat for one week longer. 

 Then transfer them to the raised bed of sand, or gravel, or peat, in the 

 frames. A bright, warm, sunny morning must be chosen for the removal. 

 Air them well before taking them from the hot-bed, and quickly transfer 

 them, and at once plunge every pot to the rim in the sand, and finish by 

 watering with tepid water. The heat of the sun, acting on the elevated 

 platform of moist plunging material, will make it warm throughout, and, 

 By regulating the admission of air according to the weather, the plants 

 will show no signs of distress through being removed from their propaga- 

 ting-bed, provided they are properly treated in all other respects. During 

 cold Aveather give no water, and no air. At the first outbreak of sunshine, 

 tilt the lights, to let off the atmospheric moisture and prevent mildew, and 

 on bright days take the lights off for a couple of hours at mid-day, and 

 take care to close earl}', so as to shut up some amount of sun-heat. In all 

 houses in Avhich it is desirable to push plants forward, sun-heat should be 

 stored up by closing early, and, if any of our readers remind us that in late 

 autumn Ave have adAdsed closing as late as possible, we answer that in 

 autumn Ave desire to check growth, and in spring we wish to promote it. 

 The amount of moisture required by ncAvly-struck plants must depend chiefly 

 on the temperature, but in any case a soddened state of the soil in the pots 

 is sure to do mischief. "When water is required, let the foliage have it as 

 Avell as the roots, and in as dewy a form as possible. 



Those who are so fortunate as to be possessed of stock kept oA'er from 

 last year, must uoav encourage growth by repotting. The old soil must be 

 shaken off the roots, all dead or half-dead roots must be cut away, and the 

 plants potted in as small pots as possible, in a compost many degrees richer 

 than that in Avhich they Avere Avintered. Old, chippy cow-dung, rubbed 



