DWARF PLANTS 67 



perfectly and without losing their long guard florets which 

 add so greatly to the depth and to the good appearance 

 of the flower. Provided too much heat is not used during 

 the time the florets are expanding, the flowers should 

 keep well for some few days after they are fully out, a 

 very dry room with little variation in the temperature being 

 probably the best place in which to try and keep them. 



DWARF PLANTS FOR DECORATIVE 

 PURPOSES 



Many of the Japanese varieties are particularly well 

 adapted for growing as dwarf, single-stemmed plants for 

 grouping in the conservatory or at exhibitions. 



For this purpose healthy stock plants should be se- 

 lected some time in December, removing all the growths 

 that have attained any considerable length and cutting 

 them to the soil level. These plants should be kept in a 

 cool house or pit during the winter, and by March or early 

 in April the growths should be in a suitable condition for 

 providing cuttings. At this season I prefer to strike the 

 cuttings in shallow boxes, placing them in a house or pit 

 where there is sufficient heat and moisture. Here they 

 soon make roots and are then hardened off before the 

 young plants have made much growth. 



The rooted cuttings are first potted into 6o-size (3-inch 

 pots) and placed in an unheated frame which is kept close 

 for a few days following the potting. If especially dwarf 

 plants are desired, as soon as rooted in the 6o-size pots the 

 points of the shoots should be removed ; this checks the 

 growths somewhat, but by a judicious use of the syringe 

 and sufficient warmth in the pit to keep the plants from 



