FOR AMATEUR CULTURE 



well grown we have nothing capable of giving 

 stronger effect. For porch and veranda decor- 

 ation it stands at the head of the list. 



Old plants can be kept in the cellar over 

 winter. Bring them to the light in March. 

 As soon as they begin to grow well, make liberal 

 use of fertilizers. Buds are formed in fall, 

 and our aim should be, at this time, to encour- 

 age the fullest possible development of them. 

 The flowers are of pale pink, on opening, 

 changing, later on, to a more decided red, and 

 still later to a dull green. When they take on 

 this color they should be cut off. These flow- 

 ers are borne in enormous trusses, there being 

 so many of them that the branches of the plant 

 bend beneath their weight. Large plants fre- 

 quently have as many as a hundred or more 

 at a time. Plants are good for an indefinite 

 period, if well cared for. 



After the flowering season is over, cut the 

 bush back sharply, shorten every branch. 

 Feed well at this time to encourage the pro- 

 duction of branches on which flowers will be 

 borne next season. 



Never prune in early spring. If you do this 

 you sacrifice the crop of flowers for which the 

 plant made preparation last fall. 



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