1879.] DECORATIVE GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 315 



of opinion, however, that the time for putting them in depends very 

 much on the purpose for which they are required, — whether for large 

 specimen plants to produce large quantities of bloom, or plants to pro- 

 duce merely a few extra-sized blooms for exhibition purposes. If large 

 plants are required, then we should put in the cuttings by December at 

 the latest : 6-inch pots are a very suitable size to put them in. Pre- 

 pare them in the usual way by draining well, and then fill three-parts 

 full with any potting-soil, finishing off with pure silver-sand, as it is 

 not intended they should remain long in the pots after being rooted. 

 Two, three, or more varieties may be put in each pot, according to 

 the number of plants required ; only there should be a considerable 

 margin left for casualties, and when potting them off the best can be 

 selected. 



When the cuttings are inserted, water them through a fine rose, and 

 stand the pots in a warm pit. It is not necessary that they should be 

 plunged in bottom-heat ; but of course where a moderate heat can be 

 supplied this way, it will hasten the process of rooting. Give an oc- 

 casional dewing with the syringe at shutting-up time. As soon as they 

 are nicely rooted, pot them up singly into 3-inch pots, in moderately 

 rich soil, with a good dash of sand to keep it open, and place them in 

 a pit where they can enjoy a night temperature of about 60°, with pro- 

 portionate increase during the day. Keep them well supplied with 

 water ; and after they have grown about 3 inches, pinch out the points 

 to make them branch out and form good stools — the laterals to be 

 again pinched after they make three pairs of leaves. When the roots 

 have reached the sides of the pots, they will want shifting into larger 

 pots: 6-inch pots should be used for this shift, and the compost to 

 consist of one -half of good fibry loam, the remainder being made 

 up of one part sharp river or silver sand, one part of leaf -mould 

 and one part of well-rotted dung, or bone meal. In potting, ram the 

 soil pretty firmly about the ball, as there is less risk of it turning 

 sour if firm. When they have well taken with this shift, they may 

 be removed to a cooler house, still keeping the points pinched out 

 as they make three pairs of leaves. About the middle of May they 

 will require another and final shift into the flowering-pots, which may 

 be 8, 9, or 10 inch as desired, using the same kind of compost as at the 

 last shift, only it may be somewhat rougher, and a layer of old dung 

 may be put over the crocks : ram the soil firmly into the pots, and 

 plunge them out-of-doors in a sheltered place. They may be pinched 

 for the last time about the end of June, and must be attended with water 

 when required ; and turn the plants round occasionally, as well to let 

 them get the sun equally on all sides as to break any roots that may 

 find their way through the drain-holes of the pots. If they are allowed 

 to make roots in this way, they may receive a check when they come 

 to be housed, and then lose their bottom leaves : nothing looks more 

 unsightly than to see them with long bare stems. They will require 



