310 THE GARDENER. [July 



of next. The cuttings can be either inserted singly in thumb-pots,. 

 or round the sides of a 5-inch pot, which should be well drained 

 and filled with sandy peat, with a good dash of ■ silver sand over 

 the surface. When inserted they should be well watered, and, 

 if possible, plunged into bottom - heat, and covered with a bell- 

 glass or placed in the propagating-frame. They will root readily 

 enough without bottom-heat if kept close and shaded from the sun, 

 but not quite so quickly. When well rooted, they should be placed 

 into 2 or 3 inch pots, and grown in the shade until established. 

 Under the shade of Cucumbers and Melons is a capital place for them. 

 If well rooted and established in the small pots before winter, a 

 vigorous start can be made the following year, and much valuable 

 time saved when good-sized plants are required quickly. I have 

 always found it advantageous to get an early start in the season, and 

 push forward as rapidly as possible consistent with the nature of the 

 plants to be grown, when large ones are required in as short a space 

 of time as possible. If once checked, or left to look after themselves 

 from time to time, instead of obtaining a rapid growth^ it takes a much 

 longer time, if ever a good plant is produced. This applies with equal 

 force to the majority of plants. The small plants should not be allowed 

 to flower when specimens are the object, so that their whole energies 

 may be devoted to the production of wood. When allowed to flower, 

 their progress is considerably impeded, and a much longer time is re- 

 quired in which to produce a good-sized plant. The young plants, when 

 established in small pots, should be wintered in a temperature of about 

 60°. Towards the end of January, if strong and well rooted, they can 

 be placed in 5-inch pots, and introduced into a little higher temper- 

 ature than the one recommended for wintering the plants. If in good 

 condition at potting-time, growth should be rapid, and by the end of 

 July or beginning of August they should be placed in pots 2 inches 

 larger. While growing, air should be freely admitted when favourable, 

 so as to produce a strong sturdy growth. The house or frame in which 

 they are grown should be closed early in the afternoon, so as to run 

 up the temperature considerably with sun-heat. The winter treatment 

 is simple, merely keeping the plants in the temperature named, and in 

 a light situation where they can enjoy plenty of room, which is as 

 essential during winter as in summer when growing, if the symmetry 

 of the plants is to be maintained. Potting should be attended to the 

 following year, as the plants require it, giving a 2-inch shift each 

 time, until placed in 12-inch pots, which is large enough to grow a 

 good specimen at least 4 feet through. Potting will scarcely 

 require to be done once a season after the first year ; but this the 

 cultivator will be best able to determine according to the progress of 

 the plants and the condition of the roots. It is preferable to repot 

 them twice a-year if they require it, rather than allow them to become 

 checked by being pot-bound, and remaining in that condition during 



