Twelve] jfoltage $lants 143 



deep flats in the house in February or March, covering 

 lightly and giving a warm place (see directions for 

 growing house-plants from seed). They germinate 

 in from five to seven days. As soon as the plants have 

 their first true leaves place in a warm, sunny window 

 and encourage them to grow as rapidly as possible. 

 When they have two or three leaves the colours will 

 be sufficiently developed to admit of making selec- 

 tions, and if the box is at all crowded they can be 

 potted off and grown on until time to plant out. 

 Coleus are very sensitive to cold and should not be 

 planted out in the open ground until the nights are 

 warm. Never allow the Coleus to flower, as this in- 

 jures the foliage greatly. Pinch out the flower heads 

 as they appear. Water liberally and pinch back oc- 

 casionally to symmetrical form. Any soil that suits 

 the Canna, or other ornamental foliage plant, will do 

 for the Coleus a light, sandy loam enriched with 

 manure is as good as anything, and leaf-mould an- 

 swers admirably. 



Where a quantity of Cineraria, or Dusty Miller, is 

 needed for borders, it is much more economical to 

 grow from seed, starting them in hotbeds and plant- 

 ing out when all danger of frost is past, setting six 

 inches apart. 



