66 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



next six weeks requires the command of a very large supply of fresh 

 material to keep it in a suitable condition for striking cuttings ; 

 whereas a bed introduced into a pit, if in the first place properly 

 managed, continues a valuable aid for weeks without further addi- 

 tions. A batch of cuttings struck in such a " make-shift" propagat- 

 ing-pit will require, when " boxed-off," to be freely started into 

 growth in the same medium before being drafted into the structures 

 commonly at command for growing on bedding-plants. If properly 

 managed, these early-struck plants yield a large supply of the very 

 best cuttings later on. Verbenas, more especially, require to be 

 treated well when struck thus early. If these are not grown on 

 quickly in a strong root-medium, and a warm, airy medium atmo- 

 spherically, so that a stubby, clean growth is induced, they will prove 

 of little use for supplying cuttings. Above all points, make sure of 

 a sound under-structure — plenty of roots. So with Pelargoniums ; 

 where the supply of these is likely to be insufficient, as only too pro- 

 bably they will be in many gardens this spring, a batch, of cuttings 

 should be immediately put in to strike. I use very small pots for these 

 thus early — something like half an ounce of compost being sufficient for 

 one pot. The compost used is half loam, half sand. The operation 

 of inserting the cuttings is proceeded with very rapidly. A number 

 of pots are placed side by side closely on the potting-bench ; a spade- 

 ful of the compost is then shaken over them, sufficient in quantity to 

 have each pot heaped up ; the cuttings are then quickly inserted 

 singly into the pots, pressing each in firmly with the two thumbs. 

 The soil is kept moist ; and when placed in a mild stove-temperature, 

 roots are emitted in a comparatively short time. Our entire stock 

 of young plants of Mrs Pollock — a favourite here — and Golden 

 Chain, probably the best of yellow-leaved Pelargoniums, are propa- 

 gated thus. Flowering kinds do equally well, provided they are 

 not allowed to become pot-bound, but potted on into 4 or 5 inch 

 pots, and encouraged to fill these with roots. These will flower just 

 as freely as autumn-struck cuttings ; but if there should be any fear 

 on that score, the pots may be plunged deeply in the beds, so as to 

 be counteractive of overmuch leaf-growth. In many ways the Ger- 

 anium is pre-eminent amongst flowering bedding-plants : they are 

 compact, massive, brilliant or soft, but always refined. Wherever 

 Pelargoniums succeed, they ought to maintain a prominent position 

 in the flower-garden, and all other flowering plants subordinated, as 

 a rule, to them. 



There are certain foliage plants of great value in particular posi- 

 tions which ought to be this month propagated from seed. In the 

 case of all those just to be mentioned, an early start is a simple en- 



