48 ON THE CULTURE OF PELARGONIUMS. 



growing freely, and some of them showing flower ; and to keep them 

 healthy and flourishing during the summer, a little liquid manme, 

 say twice a week, is given. 



I have now given one year's treatment; hut to give the readers of 

 the Cabinet the regular attention the show-flowers receive, I must 

 carry them through another season. And who will object to that, 

 when repaid with such a sight, (or nigh unto it,) and such plants, as 

 were exhibited at the Horticultural Society meeting? By the 1st of 

 August, these very plants, that have been so nursed, are cut back, 

 turned out of the pots, and all the mould shook from the roots ; 

 some of them are potted into forty-eights, and some of the largest 

 and best-rooted ones into thirty-twos, in a mixture the same as when 

 potted into the forty-eights the previous October. When potted, 

 they are put into a frame or pit, and kept close for a week or two, 

 watering them over head with a pot and rose. By the third or fourth 

 week in September, they are removed into the geranium-house, care 

 being taken to give them as much air as possible, and not quite so 

 much water. "Whilst kept here, it is found necessary to keep 

 turning them round on the stage, about once a fortnight, to have 

 them in good form. By the third or fourth week in February, they 

 are shifted into wide-mouthed twenty-fours, and some of the largest 

 into wide-mouthed sixteens, in a mixture the same as they were 

 shifted into last February. About the second or third week in 

 March, they are tied to five, six, or more (according to the number 

 of shoots) neat green stakes ; and after being staked, and replaced 

 upon the stage, they are not turned after, for if turned round after 

 being staked they do not look so well. By the month of April, they 

 require to have a little liquid manure, as recommended before. 

 When the lateral shoots push forward, and there appears to be too 

 many, they are thinned away, so as to leave each plant open and 

 regular. The shoots are usually freely produced, and a second thin- 

 ning is frequently found necessary. This attention is very requisite, 

 as it keeps the plants in a neat form, and gives considerable vigour 

 to them, the result being bold trusses of large blooms, such as have 

 been seen in the exhibitions in and around London. 



As the flowers begin to expand, they are shaded when the sun is 

 out, with canvass, or thin gauze, fixed to a roller that is readily pulled 

 up and down as required. 



