1870.] POT -CULTURE OF STOCKS. 307 



ered with a hand-glass or some such protecting agent ; or they can be 

 placed in a pit or frame, admitting air, and keeping the surface of the 

 soil nicely moist. This will secure a perfect germination of the seeds, 

 and robust growth. Shading must be employed should the sun shine 

 directly on the hand-glasses or pit in which the boxes are placed ; but 

 the less shading the better, if it can be dispensed with, as one result 

 sometimes is, to cause the plants to grow weakly, and render them 

 liable to damp off. 



When the first leaves are fully developed, the plants may be pricked 

 off into boxes, in rows 3 inches apart each way, retaining as much 

 soil as possible about the young roots when transplanting them. A 

 rich light compost should be used • and when the process of planting 

 is done, and a gentle watering has been given, the boxes can be placed 

 in the frame, and some shading applied for a few days till the roots 

 lay hold on the soil. "When growth sets in the lights can be removed, 

 and the plants wholly exposed to the action of the elements. 



All that is now required will be frequent waterings of the plants as 

 necessary, and keeping them free from weeds, until the flowers begin 

 to form in the leading shoots sufficiently to distinguish the double- 

 flowering from the single-flowering plants. Then comes the process 

 of potting the double-flowering plants ; and here a little care will be 

 requisite. By this time the roots of the plants will have so penetrated 

 the soil as to make it possible for the soil and plants to be lifted from 

 the box bodily and placed on the ground ; then carefully divide it so 

 that each plant shall have a good portion of soil adhering to the roots. 

 Meanwhile a compost for potting should have been prepared — say, 

 of old turfy loam, chopped fine, one half ; of leaf -mould, river-sand, and 

 well-decomposed cow-dung, equal parts, mixed well together, using 

 pots large enough to take the ball, and employing good drainage. A 

 good watering should be given, and the plants placed in a cold frame, 

 shading from the sun till they are thoroughly established. 



To secure a good growth, keep the soil moist, and shift into a larger- 

 sized pot if, and when, necessary. Keep the plants symmetrical by 

 pinching out irregular growths, and apply moderately-strong liquid 

 manure as soon as the plants are well established in their blooming 

 pots. An airy cool position near the glass should be given them 

 during the winter, and frost should not be allowed to reach them. 

 A liberal feeding will develop fine flowers, and they will be found 

 of great service in the decoration of the conservatory when fully in 

 bloom. A. K. 



