iSSi.] GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 199 



sequence of which it only requires a few years to form them into fair- 

 sized specimens suitable for the exhibition-table. Then their flower- 

 ing season may be prolonged for a considerable length of time, by 

 retarding the growth of some plants through placing them in a cool 

 airy position, and accelerating that of others through subjecting them 

 to slight forcing, both of which may be done without injuriously 

 affecting the plants ; and again, with due care, Chorozemas may be 

 taken to and from the exhibition without injury either to the plants 

 or their flowers. This latter quality alone should secure for them the 

 patronage of plant exhibitors, as it is well known many beautiful 

 flowering-plants cannot undergo the vicissitudes consequent upon 

 their removal to and from the place of exhibition, without their crop 

 of flowers being destroyed at the time, and not unfrequently resulting 

 in the death of the plants. Hence plants that produce beautiful 

 flowers, as in the case of Chorozemas, and that can undergo without 

 injury the exposure consequent upon taking part in a horticultural 

 exhibition, are of more value, from the plant exhibitor's point of view, 

 than those which cannot do so. 



Chorozemas are increased by either seeds or cuttings. Plants 

 raised from seed, however, are preferable to those raised by cuttings. 

 The seeds may be sown any time from January to August, but the 

 earlier in the season the better. A compost of equal parts of peat and 

 silver sand is suitable to sow them in. The pot or pan in which they 

 are about to be sown should be properly drained, and the remaining 

 space filled with the compost pressed firmly down to within three- 

 quarters of an inch or so of the rim or top of the pot, making the 

 surface smooth, on which the seeds are to be strewn as evenly as pos- 

 sible, and covered with a quarter of an inch or so of the compost, pres- 

 sing it firmly on the seeds. This done, give a nice watering without 

 disturbing the compost placed over the seed, and plunge the pot con- 

 taining them in a mild bottom-heat, and place a bell-glass over it ; 

 shade from sunshine, attend to watering, and in due time, if the seeds 

 are good, the young plants will appear. As soon as they are fit to 

 handle, they should be transplanted singly into small pots, using a 

 compost similar to that in which the seeds were sown. After the seed- 

 lings are pricked out, give them a good watering, and plunge the pots 

 containing them in a bottom-heat similar to that in which they were 

 raised ; then place hand-lights or bell-glasses over them, and shade 

 closely for a week or so, until the roots of the little plants have taken 

 hold of the fresh soil ; after which time, gradually inure to more light 

 and air. As soon as they have become established, they should be re- 

 moved from the bottom-heat ; but it is well to plunge the pots in which 

 they are growing for a while longer in some light material, such as 

 cocoa-nut fibre or sawdust : this will prevent injury to their roots 

 through sudden drought, and consequently preserve the health of the 

 plants. They should now be placed in an airy position as near to 



