THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 47 



a well-drained pot or tub, and place again into a gentle bottom-heat. 

 The buds upon the young growths made the current year will pro- 

 bably flower, upon completion of which another growth will be 

 made. During this process water carefully, and at times mix a little 

 sheep or cow-dung with the water. Give the plant every facility of 

 ripening its wood ; it will then assume such a vigorous, healthy 

 aspect that it may again annually take its place either in the 

 orangery or conservatory ; and if due care is exercised, a more 

 thickly set, handsome, and healthy state will be assumed — the fruit 

 finer and of better flavour. Much depends upon keeping the leaves 

 clean and perfectly healthy. 



ON RAISING NEW VARIETIES OE ZONAL GERANIUMS 

 EROM SEED. 



Chapter I. 



jjY experience with these plants, both as a collector and a 

 breeder, extends over a period of nearly twenty years. 

 Since I have distributed my seedlings under my own 

 name, instead of, as is too much the custom, under the 

 name of a trade speculator, the public have had fair 

 opportunities of judging whether my theories and practices agree, 

 and whether either are of any practical value. I will not now 

 attempt to summarize all that I have written on the principles 

 which should guide the breeder in his endeavours to improve these 

 plants — though I would again insist on the necessity of systematic 

 procedure with a view always to improvement — but endeavour very 

 briefly to place the beginner in this amusing enterprise on a 

 level with myself, so far as that is possible by means of written 

 directions. 



Eirst, as to growing geraniums from seed. It is a very pretty 

 business, and here (the plunging system being dominant) essential 

 to the completeness of our summer display. Procure good seed. 

 Sow in January, Eebruary, or early in March, in shallow pans, filled 

 with light sandy loam, in a rough state. Our seed-pans are filled with 

 lumpy stuff, the lumps varying from the size of hazel-nuts to grocers' 

 currants. We would almost as soon put the seed in the fire as sow 

 it in stuff sifted to the fineness of dust. But mind, lumpy clay 

 won't do— there is reason in sowing geranium seed, as well as in 

 roasting eggs. 



When sown, water once and place the pans on a flue or bed 

 over a tank, or in the stove — anywhere quite warm and close — and 

 give no more water until the seedlings are coming up freely, and 

 there is danger of loss if they become too dry. The little things 

 will stand drought better than damp. Aim at the happy medium. 

 As soon as large enough to take hold of, pot them into thumbs, 

 separately, and place them in the sunniest house you have. Shift 

 again into 60-size, and in that size let them remain until they flower, 



