120 THE FLORIST. 



In the above instructions size of plant has been kept in view, but 

 those who have not the above-named conveniences should be content to 

 sow a fortnight later, still following the same plan as regards the 

 primary treatment. In this case, the first shift ought to be into 48's 

 (four-inch pots), and if the help of a hotbed can be obtained, the plants 

 may be plunged therein, using due precaution to ascertain that the heat 

 is not too great at this stage. Another plan presents itself, and one we 

 generally adopt : — It is, to plant them in a pit heated by hot water 

 pipes from about 60° to 65° of temperature by night, allowing an 

 increase on bright days of ten additional degrees. The plants should 

 again be shifted into 32's or 24-sized pots, as before, for the last time. 



These matters as to raising and shifting being settled, let us proceed 

 to show that, as the Balsam is a native of climes where light and heat 

 are more constant than in England, every attention must be paid to 

 protect the plant from sudden chills, either from cold air or failure of 

 bottom heat ; for, if once they become stunted by cold, farewell to 

 symmetry or size of plant, or equality of flowering ; yet these plants 

 are very fond of free atmospheric circulation, with all the light it is 

 possible to give them. Care must be taken to give them plenty of 

 room ; to do them full justice, they should stand as far apart as they 

 are high. 



Having now stated the method of raising, potting, and general 

 management, there yet remains to be explained the nature of the com- 

 post to be used. This should be the top spit, about four inches thick, 

 from a meadow of rich, soft, light loam, a year old ; if this is not to be 

 had, take fresh soil of the same quality, and, after paring off the turf 

 from the loam, char the former, so as to reduce it to a state fit for 

 breaking up and mixing with the loam ; add to this an equal quantity 

 of manure from a spent hotbed, if it be turned over to sweeten and dry 

 before mixing, all the better. This compost should then be thrown 

 together and well chopped and turned (not sifted), so that the incor- 

 poration may be complete. In potting, always endeavour to sink the 

 plants low enough for the soil to reach the cotyledons ; if that cannot be 

 done in the first, it can be accomplished in the second shift, and it is 

 necessary, in order to obtain firmness in the pot, and also fresh surface 

 of stem from whence to obtain more root. The pots should be drained 

 increasingly as the plants are shifted, and over the drainage should be 

 placed about one or two inches of fresh manure from the stable ; this 

 will be found very useful to the plants as they increase in size. 



As regards manure water, the larger the plants are required to be, 

 so, in proportion, should it be used ; but its application must be left to 

 the discretion of the grower, for words fail to convey how often, how 

 strong, how early, &c., it ought to be given : its use may heighten the 

 colours, but it is very dangerous in unskilful hands ; the employment 

 of it is likely to diminish the size and doubleness of the blossoms, by 

 forcing the plants too much ; it also produces, sometimes, rot in the 

 stem, often blighting our hopes when expectation of success is at the 

 highest. In general, the compost we have recommended and pure 

 water answer every purpose. 



Let me remark, in conclusion, that my plants are grown in 32-sized 



