556 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



off and lifted from the bottom-heat at the same time. When the 

 second pair of leaves is well developed they should be pricked off 

 singly into thumb -pots, the latter having previously been well 

 cleaned and drained, using a compost of equal parts of loam and peat, 

 rather fine, with a good sprinkling of silver -sand. After being 

 potted give them a good watering, then place them in their old quar- 

 ters, if space can be found for them ; even plunging would be bene- 

 ficial to them for a short time. They will grow very quickly into nice 

 plants, which will soon want another shift into larger pots, using the 

 compost recommended above ; only this time let it be a little rougher, 

 with some charcoal, the size of beans, mixed amongst it. When 

 potted, let them be placed in a temperature of 70° for their summer 

 quarters ; with daily syringings they will grow into fine plants by 

 autumn, be fit to put into 6-inch pots the following spring, and, grown 

 on in the temperature above recommended, will be loaded with berries 

 by the autumn ; and for table-decoration nothing is handsomer than A. 

 crenulata in a 6-inch pot, and 14 inches high. 



THE ROSE 



Is a plant which can scarcely be had in large enough quantities at 

 any time. They are universally admired in their natural season of 

 blooming, and when forced into bloom throughout all the early spring 

 months, they are much more appreciated, and are most useful for de- 

 corative purposes. Early spring is the best time to start with the 

 Rose in pots for the following season's plants. In the purchasing of 

 the plants (if they have to be bought), by getting them a little in 

 advance of the usual sizes sent out will be found the cheapest by the 

 end of the first season. 



We find those that grow freely do well on their own roots for pots, 

 as they frequently send up suckers, so that they renew themselves. 

 After receiving them in spring, the first thing is to examine them all 

 carefully, shifting those that require potting ; a good strong loam, if 

 to be had, with a little old stable-manure, well mixed, makes a good 

 soil for them. Let the pots be carefully drained; when potting is 

 finished, if a cold frame can be spared, let them be plunged in it far 

 enough apart, so that they may stand all the summer without getting 

 crowded : as a great deal of their future success depends upon how 

 they have been treated the previous season, therefore let every plant 

 have the full benefit of the sun, so that the wood gets well ripened. 

 By keeping the lights on all the summer with plenty of air, attending 

 to watering and syringing regularly, and nipping all blooms off as they 

 make their appearance, by October they should be fine plants. 

 When the wood begins to ripen, water should be withheld to a certain 



