iS8i.] FLORIST'S FLOWERS. 565 



Hollyhocks should have been lifted and potted up before this time, 

 so as to have got well rooted before winter sets in. These should be 

 kept in a slowly growing temperature, in order to supply cuttings 

 for January and scions for grafting in February. Summer -struck 

 plants are in 5-inch pots, and are also kept growing, in order to make 

 stock in spring. 



Dahlias have kept rather badly with us for the past two winters. 

 It is necessary to look these over pretty often, more especially if any 

 signs of decay are discerned. Pot-roots, for summer-struck cuttings, 

 keep safely stowed away in cool houses, after the foliage has decayed. 



Gladioli keep perfectly in a dry room laid out on shelves. I used 

 to clean them ; now I do not think this either to be a necessity or of 

 advantage. 



Pentstemons, Carnations, Picotees, and Pansies in frames should be 

 kept open to the air at all times when rain and frost are absent. Those 

 in pots should be plunged so as to cover the rims of the pots. No 

 water is required during the winter months when thus plunged. 



Auriculas must be kept free from damp ; decaying leaves to be 

 removed ; no water given in " hard " weather, and very seldom at 

 other times. These should have the lights kept off in favourable 

 weather. 



Zonal Pelargoniums are at this season more attractive than at any 

 other time. Strong healthy grown plants in 5^ or 6 inch pots, with 

 the soil a simple one, and rammed perfectly firm, give grand results. 

 They require manure -water to keep them healthy and the trusses 

 large. A light structure, with the plants close to the glass and an 

 even temperature of 55'', keeps them blooming very continuously. I 

 find Pearson's varieties much the best for winter-flowering, or, per- 

 haps, for any other season. Where white flowers are much wanted. 

 White Vesuvius will be found an excellent variety. Under proper con- 

 ditions the plants will require a good deal of water : the want of water 

 is fatal to a continuous and fine bloom. 



Chrysanthemums are just now at their best ; we have them into 

 February in good quantity, but just now the main supply is in. These 

 cannot be too close to the glass. The matter of 7 or 8 feet distant 

 is certain to render nugatory all the previous summer work. The 

 work calling for most particular attention with these is to get the 

 old stems cut down when done blooming, and to encourage the pro- 

 duction of healthy cuttings for the next year's crop. I always put 

 cuttings in as soon as they are large enough, and throw the old stools 

 away. For specimen plants the cuttings should not only be put in 

 soon, but the plants, when struck, kept growing sturdily. The freer 

 pompons can easily be made into specimens 3 and 4 feet across ; large 

 flowering varieties sometimes exceed this size. The largest plants 

 of these are formed from old stems, which are cut down to about a 

 foot of the collar, and after the latent buds have either broken, or (if 



