2G4 THE GARDENER. [June 



potting arc to be avoided in the cultivation of these plants, especi- 

 ally in the northern parts of the kingdom, where light and sunshine 

 are at a minimum. The plants would only require all the more 

 ripening if their treatment were such as to induce soft growth, and 

 the probability of ilowers would be less also. 



When the plants are potted, the soil should be made firmer about 

 their roots than is usually done for soft-wooded plants ; and they may 

 be returned to the propagating-bed and placed on the surface of it, or 

 in some other place where the conditions will be somewhat the same, 

 till they root afresh in the new soil, and are found to be growing 

 both at root and top, when the young shoots may be pinched so as 

 to furnish the plant with from six to eight shoots. With regard to 

 pinching, it may be observed that perhaps to this being done too 

 often and too late in the season, and to the plant being kept too long 

 in heat, may be attributed the quantities of flowerless plants that 

 are frequently to be seen. Better have half a dozen firm shoots well 

 ripened and in a flowering condition than double that number in 

 an imperfect state. 



As soon as the young shoots break after being pinched, it will be 

 better to shift the plants to a position nearer the glass where they 

 will get plenty of air and light, and where they will make short- 

 jointed stubby growth. 



From this date onwards (until the weather becomes warm enough 

 to turn them out into a cold frame) there is no position that would 

 suit them better than that of a low pit with a single hot-water pipe 

 round it, where a regular temperature could be maintained, and 

 where air could be given more or less during the greater part of the 

 day without running the risk of doing injury to other things. 



It is not, however, an absolute necessity that this should be the 

 case, as the plants can be very well grown in any Cucumber pit, 

 vinery, or plant-house where there is a little heat to start them in. In 

 this case they should be carefully hardened off by removing them 

 gradually into a lower temperature for some time before they are 

 turned out into their summer quarters. 



From 4 to 6 inch pots will be large enough to grow the plants 

 in the first season — certainly for furnishing purposes the 4-inch size 

 will be the best, as the plants in them will be the most likely to 

 flower. 



Before the plants are turned out into frames in June, or even 

 where they are grown under the improved facilities elsewhere re- 

 ferred to in the shape of heated pits, their condition should be 

 rigidly inspected, and if they are not in a sufficiently advanced state 

 to undergo the change, they ought to be encouraged, by such means 



