THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 175 
made against planting out those that are wanted to flower the same 
autumn, which some advise. I find that the more luxuriantly you 
grow them the less they flower; and as most of them will flower 
superbly in a small state, a strong rank growth is not needful. So 
that, although growing them in pots in all the stages is attended 
with a little more labour, the results obtained more than repay the 
cultivator for the extra attention bestowed. 
To obtain moderate-sized plants suitable for decorations, they 
should be struck in the autumn, wintered singly in five-inch pots, 
and in March or early in April their summer culture should com- 
mence. First, shake clean away every particle of old soil, and then 
pot in fresh soil in the same size pot. The leading shoot must be 
topped if it shows an inclination to become long-legged ; if it is 
bushy, and throwing out side-shoots, which many from their naturai 
habit will do, it must not be headed back at all, but be encouraged 
to grow on in its own way. ‘To obtain well-formed specimens, the 
growth of the plants must be regulated according to the form they 
are intended to present. This is best done by neat sticks and ties; 
but avoid one-sided or the flat-surface form, for there is nothing 
natural about either, and a geranium or any other plant never looks 
well when suffering all manner of contortions inflicted by the trainer. 
Ugliness of contour will spoil the finest variety ever seen. 
Presuming that these autumn-struck plants were shaken out and 
repotted on the 1st of April, they will require another shift into a 
size larger pot every six weeks until they have reached a nine-inch 
pot (inside measure), which is large enough for any ordinary purpose. 
A very suitable sized plant may be obtained by keeping the autumn- 
struck cuttings in store-pots all the winter, and then, as soon as the 
bedding plants are turned out of the houses, and there is room to 
spare, let them be potted off, and shifted on into six and seven inch 
pots. Such plants are particularly useful for the decoration of vases, 
flower-baskets, and entrance halls, as well as for the conservatory 
stage ; in fact, in my own case, they are the most useful of all sizes, 
although the specimen plants serve to fill up the house at a dull 
season. : 
As a rule, the zonal geranium is not benefited by stimulants, and 
it is in the power of any one who does not grow them for exhibition 
to produce a magnificent display without the aid of liquid manure or 
anything of the kind. Still, for all that, in the hands of those who 
can use weak liquid manure with judgment, it serves a useful purpose, 
in strengthening the plants when the cultivator is restricted as to 
pot-room. 
The only point I think now requiring notice is the keeping of old 
plants through the winter, for, unless they are properly dried off in 
the autumn, it is impossible to keep all parts of the plant alive 
through the winter, so as to present an even and uniform appearance 
of growth to work upon for specimen plants the next summer. I 
find the best plan is to dry them off gradually when they are removed 
from the conservatory to make room for the chrysanthemums. Let 
them have a light airy spot ina cool house, giving them only sufficient 
water to keep them alive, and defer the cutting down of the plants 
June, 
