36 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



danger of the plants becoming too tall, let the side-shoots grow till 

 late in the season, then take them off. The large-flowering varieties 

 and Pompons wanted for plants ought to have the growing point 

 — and nothing more than the point — taken out when about 5 

 inches high ; and throughout the season, when pinching, take no more 

 than just the point, as the shoots burst out from the point more freely 

 and in greater quantity than when pinched carelessly back. By the 

 middle of April they may all be shifted into G-inch pots, and kept in 

 the frame till the middle of May. However, only use the lights in 

 case of hard weather, and keep the plants well syringed in mild sunny 

 weather. Select some sheltered position, on which, after having made 

 all secure from worms with coal-ashes, stand your plants, giving them 

 plenty of space to grow. See they are secure from the effects of wind, 

 and keep on pinching those intended for plants as rsquired. Shift the 

 large-flowering specimen plants into 9-inch pots about the middle of 

 May, and by the middle of June have all shifted into their flowering- 

 pots — those for single flowers into 9-inch or two into 10-inch pots. 

 Japanese varieties may have the same treatment ; those shifted into 

 9-inch pots in May put into ll's now, and the Pompons into 8J-inch 

 pots. Have done pinching by the middle of July at the very latest. 

 A fortnight before that would be safer in Scotland. They will require 

 tying into shape now ; and if they have been gently trained from the 

 beginning, the better the plants will be. Great care must be exercised 

 in bending the shoots, so as not to break them, as they are exceed- 

 ingly brittle. In the beginning of September go over them again ; 

 for the last time in the end of October. In the case of Pompons, 

 the buds ought to be sparingly thinned, whilst in the large-flowering 

 sorts one flower to a shoot is quite enough to leave. Those grown 

 for quality of the flowers may be allowed to carry nine, three shoots 

 being allowed to grow about the end of August. Three flowers 

 to each of those shoots is sufficient. It is a good plan to place the 

 specimen plants on bricks about the middle or end of August, as it 

 gives the shoots a better chance of ripening thoroughly, without which 

 first-rate plants need not be expected. As soon as frost may be ex- 

 pected get them safely housed and out of danger. Be sure that they 

 never once suffer for want of water, as if they do all your labour will 

 be to a great extent lost. Give the Pompons weak manure-water from 

 the beginning of August, watering them with it whenever they are 

 dry ; only be sure that it is weak. The large-flowering varieties may 

 be watered with manure-water from the beginning of September. The 

 compost ought to be free and rich. It does not matter much about 

 this part of loam and the other part of well-decomposed manure. The 

 cuttings ought to be placed in a light compost, with a little silver sand 



