204 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



roots, and give a moderate shift if necessary ; but unless the ball is 

 found to be well-filled with healthy roots, defer shifting until this is 

 the case; for there is considerable risk and no advantage in over- 

 potting such plants as this. It is desirable, however, to get such 

 things into the pots in which they are to be wintered as soon after 

 this season as possible, so as to allow of having them well estab- 

 lished before winter ; therefore shifting should be attended to as 

 soon as the plants require it. 



Keep rather close and moist for a fortnight or so, after re- 

 potting, giving water very carefully ; but sprinkle the plants over- 

 head morning and evening, and keep the atmosphere as moist as can 

 conveniently be done to prevent rapid evaporation until the roots 

 get hold of the fresh scil. During the growing season, attend to- 

 keeping the shoots nicely pegged down or tied out, in order to 

 admit light and air, and to secure strong growth. After the middle 

 of August discontinue syringing and shading, and expose the plants 

 freely to sun and air ; and, when it can be done without danger of 

 frost or heavy rain, leave the lights off at night, and endeavour to 

 have the wood strong and well matured previous to winter. 



When cold or foggy weather sets in, it will be advisable to re- 

 move the plants to their winter quarters, which should be near the 

 glass in the greenhouse, where they may receive all the light pos- 

 sible, and a free circulation of air whenever the weather will per- 

 mit ; for growth must not be encouraged at this season. Give water 

 very sparingly to the soil, and if the house is properly managed, it 

 will be necessary only at considerable intervals ; and when any is 

 given, the ball should be thoroughly moistened. Towards the 

 middle of March, cut the shoots back as much as may be necessary 

 to induce the buds to break closely, and place them in the closest 

 part of the house, keeping them well supplied with water at the 

 roots, and a slight sprinkle with the syringe on the morning of 

 bright days will be useful. As soon as the buds have fairly started, 

 shift into pots two sizes larger than those in which the plants have 

 been wintered, and place them where the night temperature may 

 range from 40° to 45°, allowing it to rise some 10° with sunshine 

 and air. Keep a watchful eye, however, upon the young specimens, 

 and endeavour to secure well placed strong growth, regulating the 

 temperature, etc., more by the state of the plants than by any pre- 

 conceived notion, or arbitrary rule ; and if insects are perceived they 

 must be eradicated at once. Owing to the difficulty of maintaining, 

 in large houses, a cool, moist atmosphere, without which these 

 plants can hardly be induced to make strong rapid growth, they 

 should be removed to a cold pit or frame as early in spring as the 

 weather proves at all settled. Afford them plenty of pot-room 

 during the growing season, as much warmth and moisture as they 

 will bear without making weakly growth, exposing them to all but 

 the mid-day sun, and keeping the shoots carefully tied out, and if 

 all goes on well they form nice compact little specimens by winter, 

 and will bloom profusely the following spring. 



They should be wintered as recommended above, and of course 

 they should be allowed to remain in the greenhouse to bloom, and 



