OX A HEDGE FORMED OF FUCHSIAS. 157 



a 24 sized pot, in a compost of one half well rotted leaf mould, and 

 the other rich sandy Itfam. The newly potted plants were then 

 placed in a hotbed frame for a fortnight in order to cause the roots 

 to be excited, after which they were removed into a greenhouse. 

 Each pknt was tied up to a straight stick, to which the leading 

 shoot was regularly secured. All lateral shoots were cut back, " when 

 they got about six inches long," so as only to leave one joint upon 

 each. This shortening was repeated through the season, the induce- 

 ment to which was to cause the leading stem to grow vigorously and 

 at the same time to retain short laterals to push from, when the lead 

 had reached the desired height. 



About the middle of June the plants were shifted, with balls entire, 

 into pots a foot in diameter at the top, using the same kind of com- 

 post. The plants still kept in the greenhouse. During the whole 

 of summer they were liberally supplied with w r ater at the roots, and 

 occasionally, with the other plants in the greenhouse, syringed over 

 the tops. 



At the end of the season of 1833, the leading stem of each was 

 near five feet high, and abundantly furnished with short lateral 

 shoots. 



The plants were kept in a cool greenhouse throughout winter, and 

 in April 1834, were planted out with balls entire, but gently shook 

 and patted so as to loosen the fibrous roots outside the hall. The 

 ground was previously prepared for their reception, by taking away 

 the poor soil to the depth of half a yard, and filling it up with a 

 well enriched compost. The plants were well watered at the time of 

 planting, and this was frequently repeated during the season. 



Each plant had a strong straight stake to which it was secured; 

 during the summer, the plants formed a very handsome hedge, and 

 bloomed profusely. The design of forming the hedge was to conceal 

 an object from view, at the front of a range of plant stoves. 

 ■ At the end of November the entire hedge was covered with wool- 

 len netting, the mash of which was half an inch square, this was 

 secured over the same by a tempory railing along the sides. The 

 netting admits a suitable portion of light and air, but is a perfect 

 security to the plants from injury by frost. 



In April 1835 the netting was taken away and the lateral shoots 

 were pruned back, so as to leave about six inches of each This for- 

 med the plants into the shape of a close set hedge of thorns. During 

 summer they spread and bloom profusely, they are protected in 

 winter, and pruned again in April." 



