76 THE BOOK OF THE GREENHOUSE 



rest, and it is neglect of this that often leads to failure. 

 Another point to remember is that it is a gross feeder, 

 enjoying rich soil and manure without which it cannot 

 make tubers strong enough to flower well. When the 

 flowering season is over, give but little water for a couple 

 of months, and put the plants in the open air early in June. 

 When the growth is well matured, turn the plants out of 

 their pots, dividing the tubers and retaining the stronger 

 ones for repotting. A portion of the stock may be potted 

 at once in loam, manure and sand, giving free drainage 

 to carry off the large quantity of water required when 

 growing freely. Stand in a cool frame or out of doors on 

 a bed of ashes and remove to the greenhouse before 

 frosty nights set in. This batch should flower early, and 

 will be succeeded by the second portion which should 

 be planted out in a trench partly filled with manure and 

 soil. In this trench the plants will grow very strongly 

 if kept well watered, as they should be, and early in 

 September they must be lifted carefully and potted in 

 pots large enough to contain most of the roots and 

 sufficient soil to prevent them from feeling much check. 

 For a few days after being potted and well watered in, 

 they should be kept in a close frame and shaded, re- 

 moving them afterwards to the greenhouse benches. 

 The danger in growing under this system lies in keeping 

 them growing too long in the trench before potting, for 

 they then become unwieldy and do not take kindly to 

 the pots. From the time that flowering commences, feed 

 well with manure water, and never let the plants get at 

 all dry when growing. Richardias are very subject to 

 green fly, but must at all cost be kept free from this 

 pest which will otherwise soon spoil all the spathes. 



Roses. A batch of well-grown pot roses makes a 

 charming addition to any collection of greenhouse 

 plants, and they can be easily grown and prepared for 

 the purpose. Contrary to the usual practice, I would 



