THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 105 



and not immediately after cutting back; keep rather close and 

 moist, and apply water to the soil cautiously until the roots appear 

 to have taken to the fresh shift. Toward the middle of August 

 begin to prepare the plants for winter, by gradually exposing them 

 to the full influence of sun and air, and discontinue sprinkling 

 overhead. At this season, the lights should be used only to protect 

 the plants from heavy rains, and they will be better left off" at night, 

 unless when rain is apparent. As soon as the weather becomes cold 

 or unsettled, remove the plants to their winter quarters, which 

 should be near the glass, in a rather close part of the greenhouse, 

 and during the winter months they will require no extra care except 

 as regards a supply of water, and this must be moderate, as they are 

 liable to suffer from any excess. Let the aim be to maintain the 

 soil in a moist healthy state ; the best way of effecting this is to give 

 a liberal watering when the ball becomes dry, and no more until it is 

 in that condition again. The plants may be allowed to flower in the 

 greenhouse, which they will do about April, or they may be removed 

 to any cool, dry, airy situation, where their fragrance and beauty 

 will be more under notice. After the decay of the blossoms cut the 

 plants back closely, and place them in a warm part of the greenhouse 

 till they start into growth, when they may be shifted into large pots 

 and placed in an airy pit to ripen their wood, or, if increase of size 

 is the object, they should be treated as recommended last season. 

 Plants which are of a satisfactory size may be placed out of doors, 

 in a sheltered corner, after the young wood becomes rather firm, and 

 allowed to remain there during the autumn; but where they can be 

 retained where they can receive the protection of glass to ward off 

 sudden rains, it will be advisable not to place them in the open plant 

 ground, and if placed there they must be removed to the greenhouse 

 early in the autumn. 



Good rich turfy peat, to which may be added about a sixth part 

 of turfy, sandy loam, with a very liberal mixture of sharp silver sand 

 and a quantity of clean potsherds, broken small, or lumpy bits of 

 charcoal, will form a suitable compost for this plant ; but unless light 

 sandy loam is obtainable it had better be dispensed with, using peat 

 only. The soil should be broken up into small pieces, using the fine 

 fibry portion only, and minutely intermixing it with the sand, etc., 

 before use. 



In potting, secure good drainage by usins; plenty of potsherds, 

 and press the fresh soil rather firm about the old ball. 



April. 



