1870.] ZONAL PELARGONIUMS FOR EXHIBITION. 421 



dency. This objection does not exist in the case of pot-plants, as 

 the roots being confined within a contracted space, are necessarily- 

 subject to different conditions, and need stimulants to maintain that 

 free growth so essential to the production of good specimens. Any 

 application of liquid manure is scarcely needed until the flowering-pots 

 have become filled with a mass of roots ; but when such is the case — 

 and that would probably result in about six weeks from potting — then 

 a watering of a weak mixture twice a-week is desirable ; and this dose 

 may be increased in strength when the bloom is allowed to come up, 

 as the claim on the resources of the plants will be proportionately 

 increased. Horse -droppings well soaked in water usually make 

 good liquid manure, and even stronger stuff than that may be used, 

 such as guano-water, drainings from cow-sheds, and even from the 

 closet cesspool, as I have used this latter during the past summer in 

 the proportion of one bucketful to about five of water with the best 

 results. Amateur growers especially may take my word for it that 

 they will secure better specimen plants in moderate-sized pots with a 

 free use of liquid manure than they can obtain in large pots under 

 any conditions, besides the credit of having produced as good or even 

 better results in small pots than their fellow-competitors have realised 

 in large ones. 



Readers will have observed that I have not proposed the tying 

 down or pegging of the plants in any way, and I say certainly not, as 

 all these processes are to me highly objectionable. I do strongly con- 

 tend that it should be the object and purpose of all exhibitors to pro- 

 duce specimen plants that have been as little as possible subjected to 

 training with ties or sticks in any shape or fashion. Especially does 

 this apply to the Zonal Pelargonium, as training of any description 

 other than that induced by stopping is both unnecessary and absurd. 

 I have now ready for show on the date that this issues from the press 

 a fine lot of dwarf compact plants, with close rounded heads, each 

 about 24 inches in diameter, and which will be larger still in a few 

 weeks hence. Flower-stems are being thrown up all over them, and 

 I have every reason to be satisfied with the prospect. The treatment 

 that is here so strongly recommended for the Zonal section bears with 

 equal force to the growth of the Nosegays, with the exception that 

 some of the latter require less pinching, otherwise I make no distinction 

 as to treatment. The double Pelargoniums are now rapidly becoming 

 popular, and have become at many shows a class of themselves ; and 

 exceedingly attractive they are when well-grown specimens. With these 

 pinching must be performed with rather more moderation, but should 

 still be carefully attended to, otherwise the plants will soon become 

 leggy. If well looked after and grown as herein described, plants as 



