204 ON THE CULTURE OF PELARGONIUMS. 



vigorously) seldom produce good seed. Sow the seed in March, in 

 soil similar to that recommended for the cuttings, adding a little sand 

 to it ; place the pots in the frame a few inches from the glass, and, 

 when about two inches high, plant them in separate pots ; let them 

 remain in the frame till well rooted, and then remove them into the 

 open air to remain during summer. Plants thus raised will flower 

 well the second year. 



Plants kept long in pots grow naked and stunted, and recpiire to 

 be headed down to within a few inches of the pot; this is done at the 

 period stated for putting off the cuttings; afterwards set thein in the 

 shade, and give no water for a week before and one after the opera- 

 tion ; this prevents the plants from bleeding, which often destroys 

 them altogether. About the latter end of October, or on the first 

 appearance of frost, the plants raised from seed, from cuttings, or 

 from roots, and kept in small pots during summer, should be placed 

 in the frame, with a few inches of coal ashes below the pots to pre- 

 vent the plants from suffering from damp during winter. Shut up 

 the frames closely at night, and give air freely during the day. As 

 the winter advances, give water sparingly, and pick off all decayed 

 leaves as they appear. Cover all round the frame with about a foot 

 of soil pressed close, and nearly level with the glass, sloping a little 

 to carry off the wet. "When the frost sets in, cover with mats at 

 night ; and when the weather is very severe, use a straw mat, and 

 over all a wooden shutter, a little larger than the frame. Give air 

 every day when mild, and in severe weather uncover the frame when 

 the sun's rays fall upon it, taking care to cover when the sun "leaves 

 it in the evening. As the spring advances, give air more freely, by 

 sliding down the sash altogether in the daytime, to prepare the plants 

 for being turned out of the pots, and transplanted into the flower- 

 garden, which may be done about the beginning of May if the weather 

 is seasonable. Let them be planted about eighteen inches apart. 

 They will come into flower by the latter end of May, and continue to 

 flower with great beauty and splendour until the latter end of 

 October. 



By this method a constant supply may be kept up at a very mode- 

 rate expense. When large plants are wanted, such as have been 

 transplanted during summer may be taken up carefully about the be- 

 ginning of October, and planted in large pots. They should then be 



