76 THE amateub's geeenhouse 



under a bell-glass. It is not advisable to keep cuttings of 

 this class of plants either too close or too moist, on account of 

 their succulent nature, and they must not be exposed to very 

 strong light, more especially sunshine, until after they are 

 nicely rooted. 



As soon as the cuttings begin to grovt^, they should be potted 

 off either singly into 60's, or, if a good specimen is wanted 

 at the earliest possible moment, it is a very good plan to put 

 three plants in a 48, and return the pots to a nice gentle hot- 

 bed until the young roots begin to feel the sides of the pots. 

 The plants after this should be kept in a growing temperature 

 moderately charged with humidity, say about 7U° or 75°, and 

 partially or wholly shaded from the sun, in proportion to the 

 age of the plants and the clearness of the atmosphex'e. Speci- 

 mens two or three years old will stand an amount of sunshine 

 that would totally annihilate young tender plants a few months 

 old that have been growing rather quickly. The temperature 

 and atmospheric conditions of an early vmery are as close an 

 approximation to the amount of heat, moisture, and shade ex- 

 perienced by them in their native localities and habitats as we 

 can conveniently secure. They should have every encourage-" 

 ment to grow strong by being potted on as fast as they re- 

 quire it, until they reach 24i's or 16's — either is a good size to 

 flower them in, but the last size should not be exceeded ; and 

 they should be managed so that the growth is completed by 

 the end of August, to afibrd plenty of time to ripen the wood, 

 and induce an abundant formation of flower-buds. This end 

 will be best secured by placing them in a comparatively cool 

 and airy house for a time, and then throughout the whole of 

 the winter and spring months they will flower abundantly in a 

 warm greenhouse. 



As soon as the flowering season is over of the winter bloom- 

 ing kinds — say, for sake of clearness, the middle of March — 

 they must be pruned, but not too hard ; and when they begin 

 to make new shoots, take them out of the pots, reduce the ball 

 of soil, and repot in the same size pots again. If the pots are 

 then partially plunged in a bottom-heat of about 75° or 80°, 

 the plants will speedily start into growth again. Bottom-heat 

 is not indispensable, and equally as good growth will be made, 

 though not so quickly, if they are placed upon the shelves of 

 the stove or vinery. Keep rather dry at the roots until they 

 begin to take possession of the fresh soil, and syringe over- 



