1879] CULTIVATION OF GARDENIAS. 165 



sufficient air to cause their growth to be short, and possess that sol- 

 idity which is requisite for a good set of flower-buds. A good set 

 is certain — such as will well repay the cultivator for the sacrifice of 

 the previous season's blooms. 



This second potting in the year will not be necessary after the 

 plants have attained a fair size and in 10-inch pots. Unless the ob- 

 ject of the cultivator is to get them into a very large size as quickly 

 as possible, 10 and 12 inch pots are large enough for all ordinary 

 purposes. When transferred into the last-named size they can remain 

 in them for several seasons, if supplied with a little manure-water 

 while making their growth and swelling their flower-buds, at which 

 season we think the feeding most necessary. Nothing is better than 

 an occasional application of clear soot-water, which acts immediately 

 on the plants, and imparts a beautiful glossy colour to the foliage. 

 Plants can be kept in smaller pots under the same circumstances if 

 deemed necessary. 



The time of potting varies according to the time the plants are 

 wanted to flower. Some cultivators prefer potting as soon as the 

 blooming is over. "We would recommend this operation to be carried 

 out as soon as they commence to set their flower-buds. At this time 

 they always unfold a quantity of leaves, and the roots are active and 

 soon take to the new soil. The plants, after blooming, are ready to 

 be cut well back, and will start at once into vigorous growth with- 

 out being again disturbed. 



In training the plants, the foundation must be begun early by 

 bringing the shoots down to the rim of the pot, if nice round bushes 

 are required, which can afterwards be easily kept in shape by stop- 

 ping and regulating the shoots as they grow. When they have be- 

 come large plants, they can be cut into shape with the knife after 

 blooming. We cannot too strongly condemn the mode of tying and 

 twisting the shoots of the plants into the form of pyramids and other 

 shapes, looking as if they had been clipped into shape with a pair of 

 shears, instead of using the knife at the proper season. We allude 

 to this especially because the plants are so subject to all kinds of 

 insects, and the great difficulty experienced in keeping the plants 

 clean. If the growths are twisted and tied closely together, the 

 plants do not show off their flowers so well, nor are they so 

 natural-looking as if grown into nice round bushes, without either 

 tie or stick, after the foundation of the plants has been formed. 



A system we have found useful for growing plants suitable for 

 small vases, &c, is to strike the cuttings in early spring in small pots, 

 and then pot into 4-inch pots when rooted, keeping the plants well 

 stopped and close to the glass on a shelf : by so doing the plants will 



