HOUSING OF PLANTS 65 



must interpret the word " taking " as meaning " choosing," 

 not suggestive in the least of "removing," for the bud 

 " taken" is the only flower bud "left" on the shoot. 



HOUSING AND SUBSEQUENT TREATMENT 



All the plants should be placed indoors not later than 

 the end of September, but some time before that date certain 

 of the earlier varieties begin to expand their florets and 

 these must be placed under cover at once. At one time 

 I thought that by leaving the plants out of doors as long 

 as possible the opening would be retarded, but this is 

 not the case ; therefore, as heavy rains or damp nights 

 are apt to damage the florets, it is a great advantage to 

 remove the plants indoors immediately the flower buds 

 show colour. 



A good lofty and well -ventilated house should be 

 chosen for the plants, one in which there is sufficient head 

 room without having the flower buds within 3 feet of the 

 roof glass, for the reason that the fluctuations of tem- 

 perature near to the glass are liable to cause damping 

 of the florets. 



The plants ought not to be placed closely together. 

 For a few days after housing all the air possible must be 

 admitted so as not to cause the plants a severe check as 

 a result of transferring them from the open air. Watering 

 must be given careful attention, affording a fair amount at 

 this time, as it must be borne in mind that the atmosphere 

 in the house is less damp than out of doors and transpira- 

 tion from the leaves is greater in proportion. 



Feeding must be continued for a week or two, on 

 the system practised out of doors, but as the flowers open, 



I 



