1873-] FLORIST FLOWERS. 303 



steeped in a tub of water and afterwards allowed to dry again. It is 

 most important to have clean pots. Regarding soil, scarcely two cul- 

 tivators agree ; and it would just be a waste of paper to enumerate all 

 the varied mixtures recommended. Suffice it to say that the following 

 simple compound is all that is required : two parts fresh loam, with 

 the fibres well reduced; one part pure river-sand, rather sharp ; and one 

 part leaf-mould and cow-droppings decomposed to an earthy consis- 

 tency. Use rather more than the usual quantity of crocks, and cover 

 with a sprinkling of rough leaf- mould; fill the pot lightly to the rim 

 with the compost, over which spread a little silver sand ; then make 

 insertions at proper distances for the plants with a dibbler : when the 

 plants are arranged, press the body gently together, give enough of 

 water to moisten the soil, and they are ready to be placed in the nur- 

 sery-frame with a south aspect. And the more to facilitate the root- 

 ing process, cover each pot or set of pots with hand-glasses, raised a 

 little on one side to prevent damping of the leaves while in their semi- 

 inactive state. Attend to sponging ofi" any condensed vapour that 

 accumulates on the glass daily, and see that the plants stand well up 

 above ground and near the glass, and that a moderate but constant 

 amount of air flows in and out of the frame to dispel the stagnant 

 humidity. 



When it is ascertained that they have begun to make fresh roots, 

 remove the hand-glasses ; for by prolonging their use after this, the 

 plants will become drawn and weakly. And when the time has elapsed 

 that the young plants have roots enough to warrant their being potted 

 separately, they ought to be potted into pots 3 inches wide, and returned 

 to the frame without delay, so that they receive no check. After a few 

 days the plants will have rallied from any temporary check occasioned 

 by the shifting ; so more air and sunshine may be admitted amongst 

 them. Let this be given by degrees, and see that they do not suffer for 

 the lack of water. Allow me here to give a suggestion regarding the kind 

 of pan used in watering. It should be a small one with a short spout, 

 furnished with a sudden bend near the outlet, with the addition of a 

 piece of thin tubing inserted, to prevent the water rushing suddenly 

 and lodging amongst the leaves of the plants. In case of accident, the 

 operator ought to be furnished with a pocket-syringe to extract the 

 water when it happens to get a lodgment in the centre of the plants : 

 the result of water being allowed to remain is to foster rot. Always 

 water in moderation, neither permitting the compost to get saturated 

 nor powdery dry, but keep it just in a slightly moist state, until the 

 succeeding October, when the sun's rays have considerably decreased, 

 and the period has arrived to place them in their winter quarters. 



There is some importance attached to the proper construction of the 



