72 



CULTURE OF GERANIUMS. 



but covered by its ample leaves over the pot 

 edo-e ; its heii;ht ouo-ht not to exceed the 

 breadth, including the top of the bundles of 

 flowers. A plant of this form is always 

 pleasing, and certainly far preferable to the 

 naked scarecroivs we too often see. 



The whole tribe may be propagated from 

 cuttings, portions of the root, or seed. The 

 most common method is by cuttings or slips, 

 which should be performed as follows : When 

 the plants have done flowering, cut them 

 down so as to leave only three or four eyes 

 of the present season's growth, and select for 

 the cuttings any portions which are hard and 

 •woody. These may be cut into lengths of 

 four joints each, — reserving the three upper 

 leaves, but cutting away the lower ones. 

 Then smooth off the lower part of the stem 

 to just below the lower joint. Any shoots 

 that have not flowered, and retain their crown 

 of leaves, may also be cut in the same way 

 and not topped. Choose as cool a place as 

 possible, and shaded from the sun's rays, i^ut 

 into a frame placed there a few inches of sand 

 or sandy loam, make it moderately firm, and 

 insert the cxittings four inches apart, being 

 careful not to put them deeper than the lower 

 joint, or they will be subject to damp off. 

 Give a moderate watering to settle the earth 

 close about them, and leave the frame open 

 till the leaves are dry, when put on the glass, 

 and be careful to give air in close damp 

 weather, particularly at night. "When it is 

 not requisite to propagate every portion of 

 any variety, it is better to throw away the 

 " cutting-down" branches, and wait till the 

 plants have grown four or five joints. By 

 this time the w^eather will be cooler ; besides, 

 the slips will be in a much better state for 

 striking. In this case, thin out the superflu- 

 ous shoots, place them in a frame as above, 

 or in the hot-house, either singly, into three, 

 or four, or five, into five-inch pots. In about 

 three weeks, they will be sufficiently rooted 



when they may be planted out singly into 

 four-inch pots if robust growers, but weak 

 growers into smaller ones. 



Propagation by roots may be perform- 

 ed by cutting the roots into pieces, from half 

 an inch to three inches long, and planting 

 them about an inch apart into pots or boxes, 

 placing them in an oblique position, leaving 

 that end cut from nearest to the stock level 

 with the top of the soil, or very little below 

 it. Put them in a gentle hot-bed, when they 

 will soon begin to grow. The process is 

 best performed early in the season, immedi- 

 ately before the plants begin to grow, as the 

 roots then contain most organizable matter, 

 and success is more certain. If performed 

 through the summer mouths, the hot-bed may 

 be dispensed with. This plan is most useful 

 in propagating the more succulent and tender 

 species. As some of them are rather impatient 

 of the kiiife, and the cutting apt to rot, it is 

 also serviceable in the other kinds when 

 speedy increase is the object ; but cuttings of 

 the latter make better plants. 



Propagation from Seed. — This method 

 is practiced for the production of new varie- 

 ties, and also to perpetuate the more tender 

 and delicate species. In the former case, it 

 is time thrown away unless due care is taken 

 in impregnating the parents, which should be 

 allowed to bloom in an apartment where no 

 other of the same family is located, but the 

 two plants between which the cross is desira- 

 ble. Air should be freely given, or the em- 

 bryo seeds will not swell or come to perfec- 

 tion. They may be sown as soon as ripe. 

 When the first rough leaf is expanded, they 

 may be potted ofl^ singly into three-inch pots ; 

 place them in the shade for a few days, and 

 keep them in the house till they get strong 

 enough to bear the open air. Remove into 

 larger pots as occasion requires, They will 

 flower the following season, when all that are 

 worthless may be thrown out. 



