ON LATE FLOWERING AND EARLY FORCING PELARGONIUMS. 163 



they make fine vigorous plants for autumn flowering and early spring 

 forcing, and adorn the conservatory, greenhouse, &c., through the 

 winter and spring months. "When the plants have got well established 

 in the small pots, and are about six inches high, tlie leads are stopped, 

 to induce side shoots. After these have pushed a little, the plants are 

 re-potted into larger pots, in a rich compost of equal parts of turfy 

 loam, peat, and old rotten cow-dung or horse-dung, with a good por- 

 tion of silver or river sand. The potting may be repeated in the 

 autumn for spring-blooming plants, but the winter blooming ones do 

 not then require it. When tlie shoots are somewhat numerous, the 

 weakest are cut away to invigorate those remaining. Fancy kinds of 

 Geraniums being rather delicate, require more drainage : broken 

 pieces of cAarrec? cow-dung, placed upon the crock, is highly beneficial 

 to the plants. The plants are placed out doors, and occasionally 

 moved to prevent the roots penetrating the subsoil. When taken into 

 the house, they are placed as near the glass as possible ; it prevents 

 them from being drawn. For the forcing, put in the first lot of plants 

 in January ; a moderate heat at first, and increase gradually till the 

 flower buds appear. 



" The best kinds for blooming in autumn, being free flowering and 

 strong growers, are, Forget-me-Not (Lyne), a fine high-coloured 

 flower, and one which will be found to give satisfaction to all who 

 grpw it ; it will also force well in the spring. Meteor (Beck), a 

 showy flower, and well adapted for late purposes. Negress, a dark 

 flower, and very free ; also adapted for spring forcing. Sultana, or 

 Perpetual, of dwarf close habit, and free flowering. Gauntlet, a fine 

 large bright flower ; also well adapted for early spring forcing, as it 

 will stand a very high temperature without going blind. Selina, a 

 bright red, and beautiful variety ; this is also well adajjted for early 

 spring forcing. Lady Mary Fox, a bright red ; this, with a little 

 warmth, will be found to flower all through the winter, and, as a 

 bouquet flower, is most desirable; it will be found a beautiful bedding 

 plant, if cultivated to that end, being a most profuse bloomer. Quer- 

 cifolia superba, a bright scarlet flowered oak-leaved variety ; this will 

 force well, and is invaluable for bedding purposes. Duke of Corn- 

 wall, an established favourite of fine high colour, and good trusser ; 

 this may be forced successfully with the second crop in spring. Mrs. 

 Johnson (Dennis), a flesh colour, and most profuse bloomer ; will be 

 found to contrast well with tlie other colours. Laneii, a variety which 

 should be grown by all who require winter flowers, as it will flower 

 through the whole of the winter, and stand a high temperature in the 

 spring. Wlien the lieauty of tlie plants is not so much an object as 

 the flowers, they should not be cut down, or re-potted, when housed, 

 which should be done early in the autumn. Top dress the pots, and 

 pick out all dead flowers, decaying, and superfluous leaves. A few of 

 the fancy varieties should also be selected. The following will be 

 found distinct and free bloomers : Anais, Jenny Lind, Fairy Queen, 

 Queen Superb, Statiaski, and Sidonia. The following, for early 

 forcing, will stand the most fire heat : Admiral Napier, red ; Alba 

 multiflora, white ; Surpass Admiral Napier, red ; to be followed by 



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