248 ON THE PROPAGATION OF PELARGONIUMS. 



they remain in this state till the middle of August, when T carefully 

 examine them, and shift those which have made sufficient roots into 

 one size larger pots, heing careful in this, as in all other shiftings, to 

 use a sufficient quantity of drainage to carry off the superfluous mois- 

 ture. Those plants not sufficiently rooted by that period, I defer 

 shifting till the spring, as they succeed better when shifted at that 

 time. After thus looking over all the plants, they are replaced in the 

 frame, and treated the same as befoie, with this exception, that the 

 lights are put on at night, and during heavy showers. About the first 

 week in October they are removed to the greenhouse, where they 

 receive all the air that can be admitted with a regular, but moderate 

 supply of water. Fire heat is not used except to repel frost, or the 

 dry damps arising from watering or other causes ; to avoid damps 

 in a measure I find it best to water in the morning, so that the air 

 admitted during the day assists to carry off the superabundant mois- 

 ure. The surface soil in the pot is frequently stirred, and occa- 

 sionally some of the old removed and renewed ; all decayed leaves 

 are removed, both on account of the well-being of the plants, and to 

 preserve neatness and order. 



Potting. — The time of performing this operation is partly regu- 

 lated by the state of the plants ; those that were shifted in August, 

 do not require shifting again till the middle of February, and again 

 early in April, whilst those that were not shifted in the autumn re- 

 quire their first shift in February. In each successive shift I use one 

 size larger, taking care to put plenty of drainage into the bottom, and 

 to press the soil firm in the pots. I find the following compost to 

 answer well : — two barrowsfull of light hazel loam, (from the surface 

 of a rich pasture, which should be collected at least a twelvemonth 

 before it is used,) one and a half barrowful of well rotted hot-bed 

 manure, one barrowful of turfy peat, half a barrowful of pigeon's 

 dung, two or three years old, and a quarter barrowful of sand, the 

 whole being mixed in the autumn, and put under an open shed. In 

 using it I do not sift it, but it is chopped fine with a spade. As the 

 spring advances I allow a more copious supply of water, and I find 

 that by using liquid manure once a week after they begin to grow, the 

 plants are greatly strengthened, and the size of the flowers increased. 

 When the flowers begin to expand, I shade them from the sun, by 

 rolling a canvas over the roof of the house, which contributes to 



