326 THE FLOKAL WOKLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



repotting, until the roots have struck into the fresh soil. Although 

 most of the varieties will bear a moderate degree of warmth if 

 accompanied with a corresponding amount of moisture in the atmo- 

 sphere, the temperature should not be kept much higher by arti- 

 ficial means at any period of the season than that recommended as 

 proper for starting the plants into growth, and air should be freely 

 admitted on every favourable occasion, taking care to avoid cold, 

 drying currents. 



About the end of May or beginning of June, the young speci- 

 mens may be removed to a close pit or frame, which will form a 

 very suitable situation for their summer's growth, and where their 

 little wants may be conveniently supplied. If inconvenient, how- 

 ever, to afford them a situation in a close pit, the warm end of the 

 greenhouse will answer, with attention, to maintain a moist atmo- 

 sphere, and to keep the plants near the glass. Healthy, thriving 

 specimens will probably require a second shift early in June, and 

 this should be given immediately it is required, in order to get the 

 pots well filled with roots previous to winter. The same care must 

 be observed as to soil, etc., in potting, as recommended for the last 

 shift, and the size of the shift should be regulated by the vigour of 

 the specimen, observing that it is much safer to allow the plants to 

 get slightly pot-bound previous to winter than to have them over- 

 potted at that season. During the summer months they will make 

 rapid progress if in good health and properly attended to. Main- 

 tain a moist atmosphere, and sprinkle them over-head on the morn- 

 ings and evenings of bright days, giving a free circulation of air, 

 except during drying winds, when the lights should be raised on 

 the sheltered side only, and a thin shade thrown over the glass to 

 keep the temperature down ; and unless the pit or house in which 

 the plants are occupies a position slightly sheltered from the fore- 

 noon's sun, a thin shade for a few hours on the forenoons of bright 

 days will he beneficial. As to stopping beyond what may be neces- 

 sary early in the season to secure a close, bushy foundation, nothing 

 further in this way will be needed, to keep the shoots properly tied 

 in. Towards the middle of September, gradually decrease the 

 amount of moisture in the atmosphere, and give air more freely, in 

 order to check the growth and ripen the wood preparatory to 

 winter ; and as soon as damp, cloudy weather occurs, remove the 

 specimens to the warm end of the greenhouse, and treat them during 

 winter as recommended above. Plants intended for blooming 

 may be allowed to remain in the greenhouse to expand their 

 blossoms ; but where large specimens are desired, it will be neces- 

 sary to grow them another season without allowing them to blossom; 

 and in this case the second season's treatment may be in every 

 respect similar to the first. While in blossom the specimens may be 

 removed to the flower- house or elsewhere, provided they are not 

 subjected to sudden changes of temperature or exposed to cold, 

 drying currents. Blooming specimens, when their beauty is over 

 for the season, should have their branches slightly cut back, thin- 

 ning out weakly pieces, and be placed in a moist, growing tempera- 

 ture, to induce them to start into growth, and should then have 



