THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 47 



of silver sand. Fresh loam will require rather more sand. Five- 

 inch, pots are the most convenient size, and we generally employ 

 them, and put in the cuttings at the rate of twenty to each. In 

 preparing the pots, put three inches of crocks in the bottom, and 

 then fill in firmly with the prepared soil to within half an inch of 

 the rim. Then finish off by putting sufficient sand on the top to 

 bring it level with the rim. The sand should be moderately moist 

 when used, to enable the operator to make it thoroughly firm. The 

 sand should then be sprinkled, and everything will be in readiness 

 for the cuttings. 



In taking off the cuttings, select the points of the healthiest 

 shoots, and do not expose them to the atmosphere any longer than 

 possible. Cuttings of two joints are preferable, although the shoots 

 of verbenas, petunias, and several other subjects, cut up into single 

 joints only, will strike freely in the spring. In inserting the 

 cuttings, make a hole of moderate size, then drop in the cutting, and 

 fix it firmly by thrusting the dibble close down by the side of the 

 stem, but without touching it. The cuttings should be prepared, 

 and inserted in the pots in which the propagating frame is placed ; 

 or where an ordinary hotbed is employed, in a close and rather warm 

 house or room. As each pot is filled, place it in the frame, water 

 liberally, and shut down the glass, and keep it quite close for a day 

 or so. 



The after management comprises air-giving and watering, and 

 upon the manner in which the air is regulated and the water applied 

 depends much of the success. It is, however, impossible to lay down 

 any definite rules upon these matters. As a rule, as much air may 

 be admitted into the frames as the cuttings can bear without the 

 leaves flagging ; for if the atmosphere is too much confined, a con- 

 siderable proportion will damp off. Again, with respect to watering, 

 it may be said that extremes must be avoided, because too much or 

 too little moisture is equally injurious. A light sprinkle overhead 

 will be required once a day, and in bright weather it may be 

 repeated. The most important matter in watering is to leave off 

 the covers until the leaves have become rather dry. Shade from the 

 sun by means of thin canvas or tiffany, as a few hours' sun will soon 

 make an end to a batch of cuttings. Harden off as soon as rooted, 

 and either transfer to single pots or a bed of soil made up in a frame 

 without delay. It ruins bedding plants to keep them for any length 

 of time in a high temperature. 



Bedding geraniums of all kinds can be struck without the aid of 

 bottom-heat ; indeed, they do much better when the cutting pots 

 are placed on a warm sunny shelf in a warm greenhouse. 



The selections of the most suitable kinds must be deferred until 

 next month. 



Large Peaks ix Aistralia. — As an instance of the enormous size to which fruit 

 may be grown in the vicinity of Melbourne, may be mentioned some Brobdingnagian 

 Pears, which were on view the other day at a seedsman's. They numbered half-a- 

 dozen, the total weight being 161b. 11 oz. The largest weighed 31b. 3^ oz., and 

 the smallest 2 lb. 10a oz. — Overland Telegraph. 



