IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



so that it is evidently happy in its quarters, and has made 

 itself quite at home. The only protection it obtains in 

 winter is from a frame-light which is fixed in a sloping 

 position over the plant in December and removed early in 

 April. The branches of the Romneya are slightly tied in to 

 bring them under the shelter of the glass, but those which 

 protrude do not appear to suffer, and it is doubtful whether 

 this slight protection might not be dispensed with unless 

 the winter should prove exceptionally cold. But in case 

 of a really severe season setting in suddenly, it may be well 

 to err on the safe side, and certainly the plant thus treated 

 flourishes exceedingly. 



The Romneya is said to grow from seed, but it is not easy 

 to obtain plants in this way, for, although seed is produced, 

 it does not thoroughly ripen in our climate. The ordinary 

 way of propagating by cuttings is of no use in this case, 

 and the best way to obtain young plants is to take root 

 cuttings in the autumn. For this purpose one portion only 

 of the whole root should be carefully uncovered, cutting off 

 from it a straight piece about inch in diameter, and long 

 enough to make several root cuttings each 2 inches in 

 length. When severing these pieces it is very necessary to 

 make sure of the right end for insertion, as the long woody 

 roots of this plant are much the same size for a considerable 

 length, and the cutting must not be placed upside down. 

 Each should be inserted separately in a j-inch pot, or several 

 may be placed around the edge of a 6-inch pot of light 

 sandy soil, mixed with a little charcoal dust, and well 

 drained, taking care to cover the hole first with a wire crook 

 to exclude worms. The upper part of the cutting should 

 be barely covered with sand, and they should be made quite 

 firm in the soil, which must be fairly moist. The pots are 

 then sunk to the rim in a bed of ashes, covered by a frame, 

 where they will be safe from frost ; and in the spring the 

 young plants will make growth, which should be sheltered 

 with care until the plants are quite established, when they 

 should be gradually accustomed to the full sunshine and 

 air in June, and can then be planted out or potted up 



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