274 ON THE GERANIUM HOUSE, 



which, however, they do not produce so freely as the shrubby 

 species." 



In regard to the species that have not been hybridized, of which 

 P. bicolor, tricolor, ovatum, tetragonum, elatum, pendulum, ful- 

 gidum, elegans, &c. form a part, the above authority directs as 

 follows : " As they are all shrubby species, thev require water- 

 ing all the year, though always carefully, for if .the soil gets sod- 

 dened with water for any length of time, it is in general fatal to the 

 plants. They also require greenhouse treatment during winter 

 and spring. In summer they should be placed out of doors in an 

 ooen situation, screened from high winds, and set upon abed of 

 ashes so thick, as to prevent worms from getting into the pot ; keep 

 them clear of weeds, tied up neatly, and regularly watered during 

 dry weather. Pot them into larger pots when they require it, 

 the best operation for which is the month of April. 



To propagate them take youngish cuttings off about the month 

 of May; fit some bell or small hand-glasses to such a number of 

 pots as may be required; fill them half full with broken potsherds, 

 rough bits of turf, or any thing that wiU permit the water to pass 

 freely off; pot in upon them as much compost, (loam, peat earth, 

 vegetable soil, and sand, in equal proportions, which is found to 

 be the most proper for them) as will fill up to the top with pure 

 sand, then give it a gentle watering, and insert the cuttings, giv- 

 ing more water to settle the sand close and firm to them. When 

 pretty dry, cover them with the glasses, and place them in a gen- 

 tle heat ; pot them off, when struck, and keep them close and warm 

 till they have struck root again ; then give them the ordinary 

 treatment as to situation, air, watering, potting, and so forth." 



Propagation of the large or ordinary sorts of Pelargoniums by 

 seeds is seldom practised, excepting with a view to obtain new 

 varieties ; and it is almost vain to attempt this, unless attention 

 has been paid to artificial impregnation. Geranium seeds are best 

 sown soon after they are ripe, provided that does not happen 

 after August, in which case it would be better to delay sowing till 

 February or March. "When the seeds are sown, they should be 

 placed in a mild hot-bed, and regularly shaded till they have ve- 

 • getated, after which they should have been accustomed to the sun 

 and air to harden them previous to their being potted, which 

 should be done when they are about an inch, or an inch and a half 

 high; their treatment after this differs from that of cuttings, only 

 that they need not be topped with a view to form bushy plants, as 



