BENCH CULTIVATION 85 



provision of compost similar to that recommended for pot 

 plants, to the depth of 5 inches, completes the preparation 

 of the benches. It is a matter of individual convenience 

 whether the plants are planted out from pots in May, 

 and attended to during the summer months in the house, 

 or are planted in the early autumn, having been grown 

 out-of-doors. If grown on the benches all the summer 

 and many growers are now practising this treatment the 

 house must be constantly ventilated, and the plants must be 

 given copious supplies of water with frequent applications 

 of liquid and artificial manures, the aim being to promote 

 a free growth and large, stocky plants by the autumn. If 

 the plants, on the contrary, have been planted out in the 

 open, equal care and attention should be afforded them, 

 and the greatest care taken in lifting and planting them in 

 their winter quarters as early in August as possible. Lift 

 them with a good ball of soil, and plant them firmly in the 

 benches prepared for them. Should the weather be hot 

 and dry, syringe them lightly three or four times a day, 

 and shade them from sunshine until established. It is 

 important to promote a strong healthy root action after 

 planting, as a severe check to growth at this stage is most 

 detrimental. With care in lifting and planting, the plants 

 will soon recover from the check of removal and start into 

 growth. In the same month (August), benches may be 

 planted up with plants from 5 and 6 inch pots, care being 

 taken to have the balls of soil well soaked with water 

 previously ; also the sides of same slightly pricked around, 

 to disentangle the roots from the circular position in which 

 they have been growing. Plant them at distances of one 

 foot apart each way, taking care not to bury the stem deeper 



