ON THE GERANIUM HOUSE. 275 



it is not until they flower that their merits can be ascertained. 



Seedlings however should be stimulated, by being grown in very 

 rich soil, and occasionally watered with liquid manure. 



General treatment when in tlie House. 



By the latter "end of September, the Geraniums, if they have 

 been placed out during the summer, should be arranged in their 

 winter habitation, along with such as has been recently propagated 

 from cuttings. We would be understood here, however of not 

 advocating the practice of originating the whole collection of Pe- 

 largoniums annually from cuttings, for we have found that most 

 sorts flower well the second year, by following the simple routine 

 of shaking the mould entirely away from such plants as have been 

 cut down, after flowering, re-potting them again in much smaller 

 pots than those they flowered in, and placing them for a fortnight 

 or three weeks in a close frame in which a slight bottom heat is 

 maintained, until they begin to make fresh roots and break into 

 young branches. After this they should be placed in a sheltered 

 situation until the end of September, when they are removed into 

 the Geranium house. Dnring winter they should be supplied with 

 air and water, and kept slowly growing until February, when they 

 should be shifted into pots at least two sizes larger than those 

 they have stood in during winter. From this time until they begin 

 to come into flower, their growth should be encouraged by al- 

 lowing them plenty of room on the shelves or stages, supplying 

 them with an abundance of air and water, and turning them fre- 

 quently round, so that all sides of the plants may enjoy an equal 

 share of light and sun. 



If kept too close, or too far from the glass, Geraniums are liable 

 to grow up weak, and in that case seldom flower fine: they are 

 also liable in that case, to be attacked by the green-fly, which 

 must be removed upon its first appearance, by the application of 

 tobacco smoke from the fumigating bellows. They are not sub- 

 ject to any other diseases. We are aware that this is not the prac- 

 tice followed by the most eminent growers of this splendid tribe, 

 but we recommend it to such as, from a variety of circumstances, 

 have neither the convenience or skill to bring on an annual sup- 

 ply. 



The plants originated from cuttings planted in August and treat- 

 ed as directed above, may, when potted into two-sized pots, be 



