29G THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



noons of fiue days. If the plant has several shoots, these should be 

 nicely spread out, and the points of the longer ones pinched out in 

 order to secure compact growth ; but do not stop too freely until 

 growth has fairly commenced. As soon as the buds are perceived 

 to be pushing, examine the state of the roots, and if the ball is well 

 covered with healthy, active roots, give a moderate shift; but avoid 

 shifting unless more pot room is really wanted. Also be careful to 

 have the ball moist, and the soil to be used in a healthy state ; and 

 water very carefully for a month or so after potting, keeping the 

 atmosphere moist, and syringing overhead every fine afternoon, or 

 oftener, where fire-heat is used. When growth, fairly commences, 

 be very careful not to expose the tender foliage to currents of cold 

 drying air ; but admit air freely on every favourable opportunity, 

 aud avoid keeping the atmosphere so warm as to induce weakly 

 growth. From the middle of April to the beginning of May, 

 according to the stale of the weather, remove the plant to a cold 

 frame, which, with a little attention, will be a much more suitable 

 situation for them after this season than the ordinary greenhouse, or 

 a house where fire-heat is used. If drying wiuds occur after 

 removing the plants to a cold frame, give air very sparingly, raising 

 the sash a little ou the sheltered side, and use a slight shade to keep 

 down the temperature; but during fine weather give air freely, and 

 secure a thoroughly moist atmosphere by sprinkling the floor of the 

 pit every morning and evening, and the plants overhead every fine 

 afternoon, shutting up close for the evening, but give air for the 

 night. As growth advances, attend to keeping the shoots nicely 

 tied out, aud stop, as may be necessary, to secure close growth. If a 

 eecond shift is necessary, this should be attended to as early in the 

 season as it may be wanted, so as to allow of getting the plants well 

 rooted into the fresh soil before winter. As soon as cold damp 

 weather occurs in autumn, remove the plants to a situation near the 

 glass in the greenhouse, and treat them as directed for last winter. 

 If it is intended to allow them to flower, they should remain in the 

 greenhouse, and be slightly shaded while in bloom ; but if it is 

 intended to grow tham another season before flowering, the shoots 

 should be cut back, so as to remove the flower-buds, placing them 

 in a situation where they can be kept moist, in order to encourage 

 growth. Attend to potting as may be required, and otherwise treat 

 them during the growing season as directed above, only stopping 

 should not be practised later than June, as stopping later in the 

 season would tend to cause them to flower weakly and irregularly. 

 The plants will require to be slightly cut back, and to have their 

 shoots tied out and regulated every season after flowering. For 

 soil, use good rich fibry peat, selecting the very best pieces, and be 

 careful to have it in prime condition as to age, etc. This should be 

 broken up rather small, and intermixed with a liberal proportion of 

 silver-sand and a sprinkling of lumpy bits of charcoal, or clean 

 potsherds broken small. In potting be sure to secure perfect 

 drainage, and make the new soil rather firm about the ball to 

 prevent the water passing off through it too freely. 



