258 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
size, in each. Those in the smaller pots are to be grown on without 
shifting, excepting it be a few of those in the six-inch pots, and 
these may be shifted into pots one size larger. Those intended for 
specimens should have a shift into pots twelve or fifteen inches in 
diameter as soon as the pots occupied are nicely filled with roots. 
They require no further repotting, as pots of the last-mentioned 
size will be quite sufficient for the largest specimens desirable. 
When medium-sized specimens only are required, it will not be 
necessary to repot them, for with the aid of liberal supplies of 
water, those in ten-inch pots will continue to make steady progress 
until the end of the season. 
A moderately rich compost is necessary in the cultivation of 
caladiums ; and one that I have found to be in every way suitable 
is prepared by the thorough incorporation of turfy loam two parts, peat 
one part, leaf-mould one part, and about half. part each of thoroughly 
decayed cow manure and sharp silver sand. The peat and loam 
must not be broken up fine, because the roots run more freely, and 
the growth is more satisfactory, when the compost is rather lumpy. 
The pots must be well drained, and the usual precaution taken of 
covering the crocks with a thin layer of some rough material, to 
prevent the fine soil running down between the crocks and checking 
the ready escape of the superfluous moisture. Then fill the pots 
with the prepared compost to within about three inches of the rim, 
when pressed rather firm, and upon this place the corms. Those 
potted singly should be put in the centre, and when three or more 
are put in each pot, they should be arranged as near the centre as 
is practicable without their touching each other. They must then 
be covered to a depth of about half an inch with the compost. 
The temperature in which the corms are started may range between 
65° and 80°, and, if convenient, partly plunge the pots in a hotbed, 
for a brisk bottom-heat is found of considerable service in inducing 
them to make a vigorous start. At the same time bottom-heat is 
not essential to their making a satisfactory growth. Apply water 
very sparingly at first, for until the roots run freely the soil must be 
maintained in a moderately moist condition only. When, however, 
the pots are well filled with roots and the plants in full growth, 
they may be supplied most liberally with water, for after arriving at 
this stage there will not be much risk of the moisture being in 
excess of their requirements. The atmosphere must be fairly well 
charged with humidity, and a moderate syringing overhead once a 
day will be most beneficial in keeping red spider down, and in 
washing off any particles of dust that may happen to settle upon 
the leaves. In bright weather, from March until the end of August, 
the plants must be protected from brilliant sunshine by means of 
shading materials, but they must not be shaded more than is really 
necessary. When grown under too dense a shade, as is often 
the case, the leaf-stalks become drawn and weakly, whilst the 
leaves are wanting in substance, and the colouring is insufficiently 
developed. 
To keep the corms perfectly sound through the winter is by 
many cultivators found a rather difficult task. If, however, the 
