208 THE GARDENER. [May 



way down the side, not top and bottom, to avoid draughts. They will 

 now make very rapid progress and sturdy growth. Water cautiously 

 after potting for a few days, and always with water the same tempera- 

 ture as the plunging material. A comfortable condition of the root, not 

 actually bottom-heat — as usually implied, that expression is apt to lead 

 astray — but a steady warmth, is one of the most essential points in the 

 culture of tropical and sub-tropical plants ; for although the atmosphere 

 may vary in temperature, there is a steady rise or decline in the soil 

 with the season in most climates. Watering with cold water is a serious 

 evil with plants in pots, and very soon ruins a Balsam. 



The next shift may be into 10-inch or 12-inch pots, if large plants 

 are wanted ; 8 or 9 inch pots are large enough for general decorative 

 purposes. If into 10 or 12 inch pots, room should be left for an after 

 top-dressing of dung — sheep's dung we prefer — keeping the plants 

 plunged until they are large enough to be moved into the show-house. 



Some pick off the early blooms with the view of retarding the gene- 

 ral flowering and strengthening the plants, but we do not think there 

 is much gained ; if the plants be quickly and liberally grown, this will 

 iiot be found necessary. If they have been checked or starved for want of 

 room or water, this picking off the blooms will not make up the difference. 



Some also pick and tie out the plants. We have done the same, but 

 the Balsam is a stubborn subject under training; it resists it obstin- 

 ately. If done at all, it must be done with much caution and coaxing, 

 like tying down the young shoots of the Vine when vigorous. A speci- 

 men Balsam should be grown without pinching or tying. We think when 

 a Balsam is manipulated in this fashion, its character is spoiled directly. 



When the plants are removed from the plunging material to the 

 show-house, care must be particularly taken not to over-water, espe- 

 cially if in large pots; yet they must not be allowed to flag. Most of 

 the feeding roots will be near the sides of the pot ; water should be 

 given round the circumference rather than close to the stem, where it 

 may be allowed to become comparatively dry. They must never be 

 shaded or crowded, but have plenty of air and no draughts. Plants 

 often sicken off when removed to the greenhouse : this is owing to the 

 check of removal from the plunging material in a highly cultivated 

 subject ; hence the caution required in watering. 



The Balsam can be grown to a huge size, with attention to potting 

 and growing on. We have seen them in 1 8-inch pots from 3 to 4 feet 

 through every way, but we never grow them that size. We once saw a 

 Balsam, grown by a cottager and exhibited at one of the leading provin- 

 cial shows, which was the above size, and was the wonder of many. The 

 first referred to were about a dozen in number ; they were grown in a 

 lean-to house, an old pine stove. The plants were plunged in the pit in 



