Stove and Greenhouse Plants and Flowers 151 



sufficient quantities, although not always available, but the increased 

 quantities of lime will bring it into use. This may appear to be a pro- 

 longed method of obtaining good soil, but it is undoubtedly the best. A 

 much smaller amount of feeding is required when the pots are full of 

 roots, the labour of applying the manure is saved, and the plants make a 

 steadier and sturdier growth. As a piece of ground is stripped, if depth 

 permits it should be dug over, a dressing of chemicals given, and sown 

 down with a suitable mixture of grasses containing a fair proportion of 

 clovers. A good turf should be formed in four or five years. 



It takes two or three years usually to raise the food values of the soil 

 to the required quantity; and if so much care and time cannot be given, 

 an analysis of the soil should at least be obtained, and, acting on the 

 analyst's advice, the necessary materials added in the spring. If rotted 

 or mushroom manure is to be used, this should be mixed in before samples 

 are drawn. 



For a soil of medium texture the following method ma}' be commended 

 to those who do not wish to trouble about an analysis. To 5 parts of soil 

 add 1 part of spent mushroom manure, or if rotted manure is used, 1 part 

 to 6. To every two barrowloads of soil add one 32-pot of bone meal and 

 one 32-pot of slaked lime; to every four barrowloads add one 32-pot of 

 ground hoof and horn. Turn several times to ensure thorough mixing, 

 and, if possible, leave a month or two before using. 



For light soil rotted manure is better than mushroom manure, and 

 should be used more freely 1 part to 4 or 5. The soil should be the 

 first care of the grower, and after that the stock. It may be added that 

 one advantage of putting the manures into the soil before starting to pot 

 is that less feeding is required, consequently the cuttings come more freely 

 and are better; if it can possibly be helped, they should not be taken from 

 plants that have been highly fed. The best cuttings come from plants that 

 are planted out on poor soil on which practically no care or attention has 

 been expended, with the exception of keeping the weeds down. As far 

 as possible only sucker cuttings should be taken; other cuttings run 

 to bud. 



Stools from which cuttings are desired, if not from the open ground, 

 should be knocked out of the pots, and the ball of soil reduced. They 

 should then be packed together as closely as possible on the surface of the 

 ground in a cool house, and lightly covered with soil; at the same time a 

 drenching with clubicide or similar preparation 1 to 1000 parts of water 

 being given to kill all slugs and other insects. A temperature of 45 F. with 

 plenty of light and air will favour good firm cuttings. After the latter are 

 taken from the plants, before they are trimmed, they should be dipped in 

 a wash of XL All, one 60 pot to 2 gal. of water, if there is any suspicion 

 of Greenfly. A good cutting should be moderately thin, firm, and slightly 

 purple on the stem; 2-2 J in. is a good length. A clean cut should be made 

 with a sharp knife immediately below a joint, and the leaves trimmed off 

 for two or three joints, or about 1 in. As soon as the cuttings are trimmed 



