16 MANAGEMENT OF SMITH'S SUPERB SCARLET GERANIUM. 



guide is very evident, because of several casualties. The stock of 

 some was very limited, and probably in a great measure in the 

 hands of persons not exhibiting at shows beyond the towns in or 

 near where they resided, so precluded from obtaining that rank they 

 were entitled to. Other kinds, from the fact of over-working, where 

 there was but a small stock of roots and a great demand for plants, 

 have come single, or semi-double, in numerous instances. Some 

 very superior kinds, too, were sent out very late, and did not come 

 into bloom early enough to be shown. And there are kinds which 

 one season will bloom quite satisfactory, and in another be very in- 

 different. From these and other causes it cannot be. expected that a 

 proper test of their merits can be obtained before the end of another 

 year's exhibitions. — Conductor.] 



ARTICLE VII. 



ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SMITH'S SUPERB SCARLET 



GERANIUM. 



BY VERITAS. 



An old subscriber asks for information to flower Smith's fine scarlet 

 Geraniums. I beg to offer a few remarks, which, if you think they 

 will suit his purpose, you are at liberty to publish. 



If you wish to grow Smith's superb scarlet Geranium, or his 

 Emperor, which is a finer variety, in pots, when your plants are nine 

 or ten inches high, stop their growth, by cutting their tops, which will 

 make them produce two or three shoots, and check that luxuriant 

 growth which prevents young plants from flowering freely. When 

 the plants are two or three years old, their] stems assume a firm 

 frutescent (woody) habit, and produce abundance of the finest and 

 largest flowers. They may be grown in a similar soil with other 

 Geraniums. I would always recommend old plants for planting out, 

 and the situation to be full sun. If the soil should be rich, deep, and 

 moist, its exciting qualities may be counteracted by putting brick- 

 bats, stones, or other rubbish, under the plants. Smith's Emperor 

 will flower magnificently if planted in the border of a greenhouse, or 

 in a large box, and trained to a trellis ; in this situation it will live 

 many years, and attain the height of twenty feet, if the house admit. 

 In such a situation it will not fail to produce a profusion of superb large 

 flowers, from the latter part of June throughout the succeeding months, 

 till the dullness of November prevents any further development. 



December 14, 1840. 



