124 THE FORCING GARDEN. 
advise that no guano, or any strong stimulant, be 
given them at any time, for I have found that when 
overdoses of guano have been administered, to force 
plants into large specimens, much mischief has been 
done in the way of ‘spot,’ &e. It is far better to err on 
the safe side, and not to give enough, than to give 
the plants very strong doses of liquid manure. The 
best time to do this, no doubt, is when they are showing 
flower, 7.e. when the flower-buds are formed. 
Geraniums especially require to be kept as quiet as 
possible during the dull months of winter ; all, or nearly 
all, the growth to form a good symmetrical plant should 
be made before November. Then the main thing is to 
keep the plants half dry and quiet through the next 
three or four dull months. 
Now, by a moderate calculation, this house, which is 
sixty feet long, and will not cost more than 801. includ- 
ing everything, will return a profit of 156l., 1301., or 
110/., according to what is to follow the Geraniums. 
Of course there is a deduction to be made for pots, soil, 
and a little firing; the fuel may be put at 25s. per 
month, 10/. for pots, with 1/. for soil for potting, more 
or less, according to distance: total expenses, say, 
171. 6s. besides time—which is a profit worth trying for. 
Generally the aphides will trouble the Geraniums 
as soon as the warm weather comes, and they are often 
very troublesome in the spring. No time must be lost 
when they appear, but the fumigation must be done at 
once. Do not syringe the plants overhead, for this 
will cause defect in the foliage, spot, &e. No more 
shading should be given to a Pelargonium house than 
can be avoided, for this draws the plants and occasions 
a bad colour in the leaf. If the house is set with its 
