FLORAL NOTES FOR AUGUST. 



329 



Fig. 2365. Calla Lily. 



PELARGONIUMS 



These are often known as " Lady Wash- 

 ington" geraniums. August is a good 

 time to cut the old plants well back. Cut 

 the growth cf the past season back to 

 within an inch or so of its base. Water 

 the plants very sparingly until the stems 

 show signs of growth. When' the young 

 buds or growth is scarcely one-eighth of 

 an inch long, the plants should be shaken 

 out of the soil they are in. If too heavily 

 rooted, which is not often the case, cut off 

 the tips of the roots and repot the plants 

 into a size smaller pot. Use two parts of 

 good loamy potting soil, and one part of 

 sharp, fine sand well mixed together. 

 Water the plants once thoroughly, then 

 withhold water until the soil shows signs 

 of dryness. Place the pots outside in a 

 shady position on some coal ashes or 

 boards, the latter are to keep worms out of 

 the pets. A shaded sash and frame is a 



g:od place for pelargoniums after repot- 

 tmg, until they are taken indoors. Repot 

 the plants into pots one or two sizes larger 

 inDecember. Use richer soil and less sand 

 for petting them in at this time. The tips 

 of the growth taken from the pelargo- 

 niums now will strike readily in sand in 

 pots. The cuttings of these should have 

 about five or six joints, unless the growth 

 is herd, when shorter cuttings may be 

 used. 



GERANIUMS AND COLEUS 



Cuttings of these should be taken now 

 so as to get the plants established before 

 winter sets in. Five or six cuttings put 

 in sand in a 4-in. pot, and the pot plunged 

 in the ground outside where the hot sun 

 does not strike it, will suit geranium cut- 

 tings very well. Keep the sand moist, 

 but not soddened with water. 



PANSIES 



If these are wanted for early spring 

 flowering the seed should be sown now. 

 Sow in a shallow box in fairly light soil. 

 Place the box in a shaded place out of 

 doors. When the plants are large enough 

 to handle, pknt them out in light, rich 

 well drained soil in a shaded frame facing 

 the south. A sash should be placed over 

 them in very severe weather in winter, or 

 the plants should have a Hght protection 



Fig. 2-66. Freesias in Greenhousf. 



