THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 231 



amateur, I shall confine myself to general management. The time 

 at which the tubers may be started, must depend on the season 

 at which the plants are required to bloom ; if started iu February, 

 the more dwarf'-grcwing kinds will flower early in June, and a suc- 

 cession of tubers planted up to that time will ensure blooming 

 plants to the latter part of autumn. Presuming that a supply of 

 tubers of desirable kinds are at hand, tbey should be carefully 

 shaken out of the soil they have been kept in during their season of 

 rest, some well-drained pots or pans should be provided, and filled to 

 within two inches of the top, with a light rich sandy soil. On this 

 the tubers should be placed rather thickly, and covered to the depth 

 of an inch ; they should then be removed to a close warm situation ; 

 a pit or frame, where a little bottom-heat is available for plungiDg 

 the pots in, is most suitable when started early in the season. Water 

 should be given sparingly until the plants appear above the soil, 

 when a more liberal supply will be necessary; but in this and the 

 later stages of growth it should be judiciously applied, as the 

 Achimenes is very susceptible of injury by overwatering at the roots. 

 "When about two inches high, the plants may be potted in six or 

 seven-inch pots. 



If it be desirable to flower them in this size, from four to six 

 plants will be sufficient for each pot ; but if larger specimens can be 

 conveniently accommodated, a large number, say eight or twelve 

 plants, will be requisite. After potting, place them in a close, 

 warm house for a few days; when re-established, air may be 

 admitted freely on favourable occasions ; and the plants kept near 

 the glass, to prevent their becoming drawn ; a slight shading will 

 be required in bright sunny weather, and a genial, moist atmosphere 

 must be maintained. 



"When well rooted and in vigorous growth, the plants should 

 receive a final shift into pots or pans ; the roots delight to ramble 

 near the surface of the soil, and for this reason I prefer pans for 

 large specimens ; these are from twelve to sixteen inches deep ; 

 over the bottom I place an inch of broken potsherds, and on this 

 a thin layer of fibrous matter to prevent the soil mixing with 

 the drainage. If pots are used, one-third of the depth may be 

 safely filled in the same manner. In potting, the ball of soil should 

 be placed as entire as possible in the centre of the pot or pan, suffi- 

 ciently below the top to allow a slight surfacing of mould among 

 the plants when filling up with soil. After completing this opera- 

 tion, remove the plants to their former quarters, where the advan- 



iB of light and warmth can be derived, and encourage a vigorous 

 growth by keeping up a moist atmosphere. As it becomes neces- 

 sary, attention will be required to tie and otherwise neatly train the 

 branches, so that they may present a compact mass of bloom. Some 

 of the more erect, strong-growing kinds may be stopped once or 

 twice dining their growth, to preserve a dwarf habit. When the 

 plants arc in bloom they must be carefully hardened before removal 

 to a cooler i-ituation, and they should at all times be guarded against 

 currents of cold air. After flowering, the plants should be again 

 placed in a warm house, and water gradually withheld so as to 



Aogust. 



