202 Commercial Gardening 



tings root more readily afterwards. The cuttings are inserted in sandy 

 soil and plunged in a hotbed as near the glass as possible, the temperature 

 being from 75 to 80 F. They are shaded for a few days until rooted, 

 but afterwards are given plenty of light to prevent them from becoming 

 leggy a drawback to be guarded against at all costs. 



When the cuttings are rooted and slightly hardened off, they are placed 

 singly in 5-in. or 6-in. pots in a compost of 2 parts turfy loam, 1 part leaf 

 mould or old cow manure, and 1 part silver sand. The temperature is 

 kept up to about 70 F. at night. The plants are shaded from strong 

 sunshine at first until again established, but otherwise the heads of the 

 plants are kept as close to the glass as possible without actually touch- 

 ing it. 



During the summer months they may be placed in a frame, but the 

 lights are always kept on except when watering, as the sunlight through 

 the glass helps the plants considerably to remain dwarf and to develop 

 more highly coloured bracts. As they increase in height it may be neces- 

 sary to raise the frame by putting bricks under it at each corner. In this 

 way ventilation will be secured from the bottom. Of course, low span- 

 roofed houses, well ventilated and exposed to the sun, will be more 

 useful for growing Poinsettias than frames, and no fire heat will be 

 needed during the summer months. About the end of September, how- 

 ever, the temperature must be kept up to about 50 F. during the night, 

 with a rise of 5 degrees or a little more during the day. If the tem- 

 perature is much higher than this the bracts will not retain their brilliant 

 colouring for such a long period. 



In the event of plants becoming too tall during the summer months 

 and Poinsettias are naturally inclined to lankiness the stems may be 

 " ringed " within 6 or 7 in. from the top about the end of August or early 

 in September. If cut about halfway through at this point, and left until 

 a callus has been formed by the coagulated sap, at the end of ten days 

 or a fortnight, the shoots may then be severed completely and placed 

 singly in 3-in. pots in a mixture half loam and sand. They are kept 

 in a close frame for about three weeks, when they will be well rooted, 

 after which they are gradually exposed to more air. The plants are 

 then potted again into 5-in. or 6-in. pots, according to vigour, and are 

 placed close to the glass. 



Of course during the whole period of growth watering is attended 

 to carefully, and fully established and maturing plants may be treated 

 to occasional doses of weak liquid manure. The average price is from 

 9s. to 18s. per dozen. 



Primula obconica. Notwithstanding the reputation this species has 

 of causing eczema, it is still largely grown for market and in private 

 establishments. It is one of the most free-flowering Primulas in culti- 

 vation, and nourishes in any good compost of loam, leaf soil, and sand. 

 Of late years great improvements have taken place in it, and the flowers 

 are now quite as big as a half-crown piece, and are produced in fine 



