10 ON GERANIUMS. 



The best soil for those plants is an equal mixture of loam, peat 

 soil, and dung ; they require also well draining, by placing plenty of 

 broken potsherds at the bottom of each pot at least one inch thick. 



2. Species that have not been hybridized. 



Many of those species [also are rather difficult to cultivate, and 

 iu consequence are comparatively scarce; but if the following direc- 

 tions are attended to, I trust the difficulty will be surmouuted. 



The species under this head are represented bv Pelargonium tri- 

 color, bicolor, elatum, pendulum, tetragonum, fulgidum ovate, ele- 

 gans, &c. &c. 



As they are all shrubby species, they require watering all the 

 year, though always carefully, for if the soil gets sodden with water 

 for a length of time, it is generally fatal to the plants. They also 

 require greenhouse treatment during winter and spring. In sum- 

 mer they require placing out of doors in an open situation, screened 

 from high winds, and set upon a bed of ashes so thick as to prevent 

 worms from getting into the pots; 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 season for which operation 

 is the month of April. 



The compost I have found them to grow bi'St in, is loam, peat 

 earth, vegetable soil, and sand in equal parts. 



To propagate them, take youngish cuttings off about the month of 

 May ; fit some bell or small hand-glass to such a number of pots as 

 may be required ; till them half full of broken potsherds, rough bits 

 of turf, or anything that will permit the water to pass off freely; put 

 in upon them as much of the compost as will fill the pots up to one 

 inch of the rims, and fill up to the top with pure sand, then give a 

 gentle watering, and insert the cuttings, giving more water to settle 

 the sand close and firm to them. When pretty dry, cover them with 

 the glasses, and place them in a gentle heat ; pot them off when 

 struck, and keep them close and warm until they have struck root 

 again ; then give them the ordinary treatment, as to situation, air, 

 watering, potting, and so forth. Some of this section seed also, but 

 not freely. 



(To he concluded next montli.) 





