THE PLOEAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 155 



peaty, very sandy soil, and placed in a gentle bottom-heat, will be 

 found to root freely ; and both varieties seed freely. 



Cuttings are generally preferred; but, -whether obtained from 

 seeds or cuttings, the young plants sliould be potted singly in 

 small pots, as soon as they are sufficiently strong to bear handling, 

 placing them in a rather -warm, close, moist situation, till they get 

 established. It is always advisable to endeavour to have such 

 things rooted early in the season, in order to allow of getting them 

 strong and well established before winter. A cold frame will 

 form the best situation for the growth of the young plants during 

 summer, to which they should be removed as soon as the weather 

 will permit ; for there is nothing gained by keeping these plants 

 in heat. 



The frame should be kept rather close and moist, and slightly 

 shaded on the forenoons of bright warm days. Frequent stoppings 

 will be necessary during the first season's growth, in order to get 

 the plants well furnished at the base, and they must also be 

 afforded plenty of pot-room, and carefully supplied with water. In 

 case of persons not having had much experience in the manage- 

 ment of such things, it will, however, be advisable to avoid re-potting 

 later in the season than will allow of getting the pots moderately 

 filled with roots before winter ; for it requires some experience to 

 properly supply recently-potted plants with water. After about the 

 middle of September, the atmosphere should be kept moist, and a 

 free circulation of air afforded on fine days, in order to ripen the 

 wood before the approach of winter ; and the plants should be 

 removed to their winter quarters before they are injured by the 

 effects of damp or frosty weather. During that season they should 

 be afforded a temperature of 35° to 40°, giving water carefully, and 

 they should occupy a light, airy position. If large specimens are 

 wanted without loss of time, growth should be induced early in 

 spring, by removing the plants to a moist temperature of about 45°, 

 allowing it to rise 10° or 15° higher with sunshine and air, and 

 affording them all the light possible. Examine the state of the 

 roots, and if more pot-room is necessary give a liberal shift, and 

 keep rather close and moist until the roots lay bold of the fresh 

 soil ; and, as soon as this is observed to be the case, cut the shoots 

 back, removing any indications of bloom, and train them so as to 

 induce the lower buds to start into growth. If all goes on well 

 vigorous growth will soon commence ; and if green- fly makes its 

 appearance, apply tobacco-smoke. 



Until the plants can be shifted into their flowering-pots, and a 

 proper trellis used, the shoots should be trained to stakes. In May 

 remove the specimens to a cold frame, and treat them during the 

 season as recommended for last, only that air may be given more 

 freely, and, on mild settled nights, the lights may be left off 

 altogether, so as to give the plants the benefit of the night dews. 

 With ordinary management, good-sized specimens, in nine-inch pots, 

 will be obtained by the end of the season, and these may be allowed 

 to bloom the following summer, or cut back sufficiently to remove 

 the flower, and re-pot in good-sized pots — say thirteen-inch — which 



M.y. 



