THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 201 



or upon seedling plants of the same class. It is a very easy matter 

 to graft them ; indeed, it is easier to perform the operation than it is 

 to describe it. Por the stocks, select strong plants which have stout 

 and rather firm stems and are well established in the pots, because 

 to ensure successful results the plants must be growing freely and 

 the sap in active circulation. Cut the stock down to within a few 

 inches of the soil, split the top a little way down the centre, say an 

 inch and a half ; and after cutting the base of the graft into the shape 

 of a wedge, insert it in the cleft so that the two barks are, on one side 

 if not on both, neatly united. Then tie up rather tight with worsted 

 threads or bass, and cover the tying material with the clay, and over 

 the clay put a covering of moss to prevent its cracking. Place in a 

 warm corner of the greenhouse, and in a month or so, it will be 

 necessary to loosen the bandage ; but it must not be removed until 

 the graft is securely united to the stock. Standard specimens are 

 readily produced by grafting upou stocks of the desired height, in the 

 manner here advised. 



The ordinary propagation of geraniums, by means of cuttings, is so 

 exceedingly simple, that it is only necessary to allude to it to enable 

 me to say that the cuttings should be struck in July, and not in 

 September, which is by many growers supposed to be the most suit- 

 able period for that work. Moderately firm and short jointed shoots 

 are the most suitable for making cuttings, which should average three 

 inches in length. Cut them close under a joint, and insert them in 

 a border on a south side of a wall, or in the open. Water mode- 

 rately when the cuttings are first put in, to settle the soil firmly about 

 them ; but afterwards, very little water will be required, unless the 

 weather is exceptionally dry, until they are rooted. It is a bad plan 

 to leave the cuttings until the roots have attained a considerable 

 length, because in taking them up the roots are liable to be injured, 

 and a considerable check is experienced in consequence. To state 

 the matter in the briefest manner possible, they should be taken up 

 and put in three-inch pots immediately they have a few roots of 

 about an inch in length. Use fibrous loam that has become mellow, 

 and to which a liberal quantity of silver sand and a moderate quan- 

 tity of leaf-mould have been added. Place them upon a bed of coal 

 ashes after they are potted, and towards the end of September 

 remove them tO'a shelf in the greenhouse where the light will have free 

 access to them, and where they will not be injured by being exposed 

 to an excess of atmospheric humidity during the winter months. 



The following spring, if medium-sized plants only are required, 

 the young stock should have the points of the leading shoots piuched 

 out, and as soon as they begin to grow again be shifted into five or 

 six-inch pots. But to produce large specimens, stop them as above 

 advised ; keep near the glass in a cool airy house or frame, and at 

 the usual time plant them in an open border which has been prepared 

 hy the addition of a dressing of leaf-mould, thoroughly decayed 

 manure, and fresh loam if available. Put them at a distance of eigh- 

 teen inches apart one way and two feet the other, and if the space 

 can be spared, an additional six inches each way will be an advan- 

 tage. If everything goes on right, the young growth will require 



