On the Cultivation of Geraniums and Canary Asters. 249 



many instances ; our roots were set out in rows four feet apart, and 

 three feet distant in the rows ; but this will not ^ive them room 

 enough by another season, and we would recommend four feet apart 

 in rows, and if the ground can be easily spared, four feet from row 

 to row. Remove the plants carefully from the seed bed, and set them 

 out, treading the soil gently about the roots, and finish with a good 

 watering ; if this is done carefully, the plants will not wilt but very 

 little, and will resume their growth, and by the first of October make 

 large plants, strong enough to stand the winter without any protec- 

 tion. Upon the approach of cold weather, however, we prefer 

 throwing over the bed some coarse strawy manure or leaves, as the 

 frost will not penetrate so deep, and thus the plants start earlier in 

 the spring. The following summer a large number of stalks were 

 cut without in the least weakening the plants. All that is required 

 in after culture is, to keep the ground free from weeds, and to give a 

 good dressing of manure every fall, or spring. 



Forcing. — The Rhubarb is easily forced, and by various methods. 

 If the roots are taken up in large ))ots and placed in a hot-bed, they 

 produce very well ; or, they may be planted in beds by themselves, 

 and forced in the same manner as asparagus. One excellent way is, 

 where there is not the advantage of a hot-bed, to place a frame on 

 the bed where the roots stand, and to line it with manure all round, 

 covering with sashes, at the same time to prevent the escape of 

 the heat ; they may be also foi warded by placing hand lights, boxes, 

 or large pots over individual roots, and surrounding them with fresh 

 manure. After the roots have been forced in pots, they may be 

 turned out in the garden to acquire their strength. 



We would highly recommend Wilmot's early scarlet ; we have 

 cut this spring the stalks, at the least, two weeks earlier than the old 

 variety. There is a variety called the gigantic, not yet introduced, 

 which grows very rank, but not so early as the Wilmot's. At some 

 future time, we shall state some further facts in relation to the culti- 

 vation of Rhubarb. The seed, if sown at this time, will make good 

 plants by fall, and be fit to transplant into beds in the spring. 



Art. IV. On the Cultivation of Geraniums and Canary Asters 

 (Cineraria cruenta). By Mr. S. Sweetser. 



Dkar Sirs, 



The following remarks on the cultivation of Geraniums and Ca- 

 nary Asters, are the result of my method of treating these plants, and 



VOL. I. NO. VH. H H 



