396 The CuUivalio7i and Treatment of the 



aired part of the greenhouse, w^iere they grew and exhibited 

 as fine and robust appearance as I could wish. They now 

 received the ordinary daily attention which the other plants 

 did; but, whenever a flower-stem made its appearance, it was 

 pinched out, in order to throw all nourishment to the devel- 

 opment and support of the young shoots. 



About the middle of May the plants were placed in a cold 

 frame, and exposed to the sun and air as much as possible, 

 and also a less than usual quantity of water was given them, 

 in order to ripen and harden the base of their stems. 



In about two weeks, I cut them all down for the purpose of 

 propagating them, and, as I consider that is the most difficult 

 part of their management, I may as well treat of the course 

 I pursued here. Being anxious to increase them to the ut- 

 most extent, I cut off every shoot from the plants, giving to 

 each cutting but a small portion of the hardened and old part 

 of the stem, being desirous of preserving the old stool; hav- 

 ing cut off all unnecessary foliage, I plant them in as small pots 

 as convenient, singly, being careful to insert them as shallow 

 as possible, and placing around them three pegs to steady and 

 keep them in an upright position until they have rooted, and 

 can support themselves ; water them thoroughly, and, after 

 letting the foliage dry off, place them under glasses, in the 

 propagating-house, or in a cool frame, where great care will 

 be required in airing and watering them ; for, where the shoots 

 are strong and luxuriant, they are extremely liable to rot off, 

 especially if they have not previously been well exposed and 

 hardened. Under favorable circumstances, they root very 

 quickly, about ten days being ample time for that purpose, un- 

 less they have been allowed to dry up too much, and flag, 

 which extreme must be guarded against as much as the 

 other, too much moisture ; less luxuriant, and weak stunted 

 shoots, are managed with less difficulty, but, in all cases, ex- 

 cess of moisture must be strictly guarded against. 



After the cuttings have rooted, they will commence grow- 

 ing, when they should be repotted, introduced into the green- 

 house, and finally to the open air, into some rather shaded 

 situation ; they will, from the time they first commence grow- 

 ing, send up flower-stems, which should be pinched out, as 

 this will greatly increase the sliength of the plants. It ap- 



