BRIEF HEMABKS. 21 



" Those grown in pots have a proper season of rest in winter, allowing 

 them to become dry. In February I turn the ball of such out entire, 

 and carefully take away what old soil I can without injuring tiie roots, 

 and re-pot the plant in a pot a size larger, with a good rich loamy 

 soil, having a free drainage. I have one plant turned out in the green- 

 house, and trained to a pillar, which flourishes admirably." 



It appears to be easy of culture, of vigorous growth, and a strong 

 plant can be bought for half-a-crown. — Au Ardent Admirer. 



Growing Pinks in Pots. — I observe under the head of Florists' 

 Flowers, in the " Calendar of Operations," that you recommend 

 the growth of Pinks in pots. "With this I agree, provided the object 

 of tlie grower is not competition, more especially in the south, 

 where there prevails a decided leaning towards size in all florists' 

 flowers. As an exhibitor I have given the system a fair trial, and can 

 state that they succeed well in pots, viz., they lace well, and possess all 

 tlie requisite qualities, with the exception of size ; and I have never 

 been able to introduce into a stand blooms from pot-grown plants 

 among those cut from a bed, without a great falling off being apparent 

 in the size of the flowers. My object in noticing this is to caution 

 beginners against disappointment ; for pot cultivation they should be 

 wintered in small pots, and re-potted about the middle of February 

 into 9-inch pots, taking care to disturb the roots as little as possible. 

 To grow them in beds for exhibition they should be planted in autumn ; 

 the best time is late in September or early in October. I always select 

 plants with clean stems and healthy points, the fewer side branches 

 there are the better ; these will also winter the best. When pricked 

 out from the piping-bed, I grow them in poor soil, sandy and light, 

 and use nothing stimulating until they are planted out for blooming, 

 when they require a very rich compost. — An Exhibitor. 



Fuchsias in the Open Border. — You recently mention a large 

 Fuchsia growing in the open air in Norfolk. I have a Fuchsia Reccar- 

 tonia that has been planted seven years, and when first put out was but 

 a few inches long. It is nine feet six inches high, and thirty-three in 

 circumference. It sheds its leaves every winter, but the branches 

 remain uninjured. It is now (November) in profuse bloom. — Dorset- 

 shire. [This is of the class of Fuchsias we recommended ; there are 

 two or three in the lot in Norfolk that we mentioned, which retain 

 their leaves through winter ; they are hybrids, but what obtained from 

 we do not know. A light loam and a dry substratum are essential to 

 success. — Conductor.] 



Autumn-blooming Pelargoniums. — The following kinds should 

 have their leading shoots stopped in May ; this induces a fresh supply 

 of shoots which bloom in succession : — Agrippina, Free Briton, Forget- 

 me-not, Hebes Lip, King, Luna, Madelina, Mulberry, Negress, Orion, 

 Oihello, Phyllis, Priory Queen, Queen of Trumps, and Witch. So 

 will nearly all the scarlets. Plants thus treated I find become, like 

 roses, habituated to it, and do not push so early as others unless excited 

 by improper means ; but as they are easily raised and stopped, it is 

 best to take proper aged plants, and not to keep old plants year after 

 year. — Dr. Hawkins. 



