228 THE FLORIST. 



I winter my young stock in 4^-inch pots in the greenhouse, close 

 to the glass, sparingly supplying it with water, but abundantly with 

 air. This I find to be necessary, for it dislikes damp during the 

 dull months. About the beginning of March, I select a few of the 

 best plants, and place them close to the glass in a pit, which is kept 

 a little closer and warmer than the ordinary greenhouse. If they 

 are healthy and well-rooted, they are shifted into 7-inch pots, 

 otherwise this is deferred until they shew symptoms of activity. 

 If the temperature averages 60° by day and 45° by night, they will 

 soon start into vigorous growth ; but this degree of warmth must 

 not be maintained by excluding fresh air, or by much artificial help ; 

 for if it is, your plants will become weakly and drawn, and disease 

 will take place. Have patience until nature assists you, and allow a 

 sufficiency of fresh air, to prevent damp and etiolation. I generally 

 find my plants ready for a second and final shift towards the latter 

 end of April or early in May. I use 10-inch pots for this shift, and 

 replace the plants in the situation they occupied before shifting. I 

 carefully supply them with water according to their wants, and after 

 bright days I slightly sprinkle them overhead. They will now re- 

 quire to be pinched and pegged down, so as to cause them to form 

 dwarf, bushy, well-shaped plants ; and when satisfied as to size, they 

 ought to be afforded the support of stakes, otherwise the weight of 

 the flowers will destroy their form. As soon as the plants shew 

 signs of vigorous health, I give them weak guano-water, — the same 

 as I give to most greenhouse plants. As regards the strength of the 

 solution, the amateur must manage that point for himself. A little 

 careful observation, and the death of a few favourites, will afford a 

 better lesson than any instructions which I can give. 



When the plants commence flowering, they should be removed 

 to an airy place, near the glass, either in the conservatory or green- 

 house ; here they will continue to produce an abundant supply of 

 blossoms from June to December. The only care which they will 

 require will be the removal of decayed flowers, &c. and red spider ; 

 they are not liable to be injured by the latter, but it will sometimes 

 attack them, particularly if they are allowed to get rather dry at the 

 roots, and not abundantly supplied with air. When I find a plant 

 infested with this pest, I remove it to a convenient place where I 

 can freely use the syringe, and shorten it back. After I am satisfied 

 that every insect is removed, I place it in the pit formerly mentioned, 

 where it soon produces a fresh supply of flowers. The soil which 

 I find to answer best is a mixture of about equal portions of peat 

 and loam, rendered sufficiently porous by adding silver sand. 



It is readily propagated by cuttings, made of moderately well- 

 ripened wood, placed in a cool situation under a bell glass, and 

 shaded; but they must not be placed in heat, or they will damp off. 

 They should be rooted and potted off in time to get established in 

 their pots before winter ; the end of June or beginning of July will 

 be found a proper time for inserting the cuttings. The old plants 

 may, if desired, be kept over winter, but I prefer young plants, — the 

 latter occupy less space. I have said nothing about its fitness for 



