THE GERANIUM 



many small flowers, ever was. And as for 

 color, nothing in all the plant-world excels it. 

 Such intense scarlets, such rich crimsons, such 

 glowing vermilions, such pure pinks and deli- 

 cate salmons are found in no other flower. 

 Which is finest is simply a matter of taste. 



A large plant — and the Geranium can be 

 grown to considerable size — in perfect health, 

 and full of bloom, is a sight to gladden the eye 

 of the flower-lover. If it has been properly 

 trained, it will have many branches, and there 

 will be flow^ers on every branch, with buds show- 

 ing between the new leaves unfolding at the 

 branch's extremity. To secure such a plant 

 one must begin to train it while it is young. 

 As soon as it has made three or four inches of 

 growth, nip off the top of it. This will cause 

 branches to start along the stalk. Let these 

 grow to be three or four inches long, and then 

 give them a nipping. By keeping up this treat- 

 ment you secure a plant that is bushy and 

 compact — never "leggy" and awkward, like 

 the average Geranium that has been allowed 

 to grow without any attention. Let a plant 

 train itself and it will generally go up, up, up, 

 in one long stalk, having but few flowers. It 

 could not be expected to have many, as it is 



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