341 



small |X)l, lilltul witii ihc same compost, lill llicy are sufficiently 

 grown to occuj)}' each a separate j)ol; if a small hand glass be 

 placed over each pot it will cause the fibres to grow more rapidly; 

 but if it be long continued, it will draw up and weaken the plants. 

 And in the beginning of Ma}^, as soon as the operation of polling is 

 finished, the j)lants should be placed in an airy, shaded silualion, 

 but not under the drip of irecs. Here they may remain till 8ep- 

 temlier or October, when they should be removetl inlo shelter. 



The plants should, in the first favourable weather in February, be 

 divested ol' their decayed leaves; and by the middle of that month 

 (^aiihing them up; that is, taking away the superficial mould of the 

 pots about an inch deep, antl putting in fresh compost, with the 

 addition of a little loam, to give it more tenacity. This contributes 

 greatly to the strength of the plants, and the vigour of their bloom; 

 at the same time it afi'ords a favourable opportunity to separate 

 such otisels as aj)pear to have sufficient fibre to be taken oft" at this 

 early season. Tlie pots with these offsets should be jjlaced in a 

 frame, in a sheltered situation, till their roots are established. Though 

 frost, unless it be very rigorous, will not destroy the plants, it will 

 injure thcin, and perliaps spoil the bloom, especially early in the 

 spring; ihey should I herefore be covered with mats in a severe sea- 

 son. When any |)lant has more than one or two principal stems, it 

 is advisable to pinch otl' the smallest and weakest, in order to render 

 the blossoms ol" that which remains larger and more vigorous. And 

 when the lowers (pip-*) become turgid and begin to expand, the 

 j)lants should be seleelcd trom the rest, removing them to a calm 

 shady corner, suspending small hand-glasses over them. 



In this culture the stages for the pots to stand on whilst in bloom 

 should have a northern aspect, and should consist of four or five 

 rows of shelvcj, rising one above another, the roof being covered 

 with framesof glass; the laliest blowing plants being placed behind, 

 and the sliortest in front, 'i'he plants must be regularly watered two 

 or three times every week during the blooming season. 



All these plants are highly ornamental; the former in beds and 

 borders, and the lalter sorts among curious potted flowering })Jants. 



