54G THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



Supposing the cutting plants are strong, and in small 60-pots, the 

 shift should be made into pots fully two sizes larger. The operator 

 should commence by crocking the requisite number, giving double the 

 quantity of drainage usually afforded other plants. The pots should 

 be scrupulously clean. A little fibry material from the soil should be 

 placed over the crocks, then some fine soil. The plant should be care- 

 fully turned out of the pot it has previously occupied, the crocks re- 

 moved without doing damage to the roots, the plant placed in the 

 new pot, and the soil pressed firmly about it. Where perfect drainage 

 exists, firm potting is of great importance ; it prevents a too free eva- 

 poration of the moisture in the soil on sunny days, sustains the plant 

 for a more lengthened period, and saves the trouble of continual drib- 

 blings of water, which not only consume time, but are also hurtful to 

 the plants. If the potting compost be at all damp, no water need be 

 given after potting. It is a good plan to thoroughly soak the plants that 

 are to be potted with water the day before being shifted into the new 

 pots. When this is done, eight or ten days after potting will be a 

 good time to administer water for the first time, as at this period the 

 roots will be finding their way into the new soil that surrounds them. 

 When water is given, let it be given abundantly, and not a mere sur- 

 face sprinkling. The temperature of the water given should be about 

 60°. 



General Attention. — It is of small importance what kind of structure 

 the plants are grown in, if the conditions under which they flourish 

 best are supplied. These conditions are, a sunny exposure near the 

 glass, in a light and airy position, in a temperature ranging from 40° 

 to 60° when the sun shines. A higher temperature is likely to prove 

 injurious, as the growth becomes weakly, drawn, and colourless. From 

 36° to 38° will not be so injurious as over 60° at this period of the 

 year. If the cultivator could command the sunshine and cool soft 

 air of September all the year round, he would have exactly the condi- 

 tion of atmosphere best adapted for the growth of Tricolor and Bronze 

 Pelargoniums. Let it be understood that all cold draughts of air should 

 be excluded — i.e., they should not be allowed to play directly on the 

 plants. 



All leaves should be removed as they decay ; it is best to detach 

 the leaf at the point where it joins the stem, leaving that to drop of 

 its own accord. This prevents any damage to the stalk by displacing 

 the leaf-stems while they are yet green. The plants should be turned 

 about at intervals to secure uniformity of growth. As soon as the 

 cutting-stem is 4 inches in height, remove, by using the point of a 

 knife, the two uppermost leaves and shoot while yet undeveloped ; 

 this will check the upward growth, and cause side shoots to appear, 



