THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GDIDE. 175 



and shorten the thick ileshy roots, if they are of a considerable 

 length, and not well i'urnished with small rootlets. Some of these 

 roots will require shortening to about half their length, and others 

 will simply require their tips to be taken off. Tlie thick roots only 

 need trimming, and as this is done to promote the production of 

 fibrous roots, the latter must be injured as little as possible. Five 

 or six inch pots, the exact size being regulated by the strength of 

 the plants, are quite large enough. They must be thoroughly clean 

 and well drained, the crocks employed for the latter purpose being 

 of necessity clean also. A two inch layer of crocks will suffice to 

 ensure an effectual drainage, and to prevent the fine soil mixing with 

 the crocks, cover them with a layer of rough leaf-mould. In filling 

 the pots, carefully spread out the roots, and press the soil moderately 

 firm. 



Watering. — They will require careful and moderate watering 

 until they are establislied, and indeed throughout the autumn and 

 winter, for if supplied too liberally, the soil will become sour and 

 the roots perish. At the same time, extreme dryness at the roots 

 must be guarded against as being alike hurtful. When watered, 

 they must have sufficient to thoroughly moisten the soil, and care 

 taken to avoid pouring liie water into the hearts, for if moisture is 

 allowed to settle there, they will soon decay, and the plants perish. 

 If this should occur at any time, place the hand over the soil, and 

 turn the plant bottom upwards, to allow the water to drain away. 

 As the plants commence to make new growth in February, increased 

 supplies of water will be required, but even then, and during the 

 early part of the summer the watering must not be overdone. 



Top-DEESSiNG. — They commence to make the season's growth 

 in February, and as soon as it can be seen that they are making a 

 move, top-dress with a mixture of cow-manure and loam. First 

 remove the old soil to the depth of an inch or so, and then fill with 

 the mixture, and press firm. In removing the soil, avoid stirring it 

 deep enough to' disturb the roots, which cannot well be done at that 

 season of the year without injury to the plants. 



Summer Management. — As they come into bloom remove 

 them to a frame placed in a shady position, a north side of a hedge 

 being preferable, as the hedge admits of a more free circulation of 

 air amongst them than is possible when they are against a wall. By 

 removing them to a shady position, the attention and labour required 

 in screening them from the sun is entirely avoided. They are also 

 placed under m.ore favourable conditions for making a firm growth, 

 as they enjoy the fullest advantages resulting from a free exposure 

 to the light. The frame must be freely ventilated, and afier the 

 plants go out of flower the lights may be removed during the day 

 altogether, but as they must not be exposed to heavy rains, the 

 amateur who is away from home during the day will act wisely in 

 contenting himself with ventilating the frame at the back and front 

 in the manner already advised, or if the frame is not provided with 

 these ventilators, the lights should be raised both at the back and 

 the front on pieces of wood. A light shower, on a warm day during 

 the summer, will be beneficial. 



Jane. 



