yb THE AMATEUE S GEEENH0U8E 



Use a compost consisting of turfy loam three parts, and 

 thoroughly-decayed manure one part, and a rather liberal 

 quantity of silver sand. The plants intended for standard 

 specimens must have all the side-shoots nipped off until the 

 stem has attained the desired height, and then the terminal 

 point must be pinched off five or six joints above vrhere the 

 last side-shoots were removed. Side-branches will soon be pro- 

 duced at four or five joints nearest the top, and these must 

 be stopped when a few inches in length. The main stem will 

 require supporting with a stout stake, and a ring of strong 

 wire should be fixed horizontally near the top, and the main 

 side-branches trained to it. The latter must be stopped as 

 often as may be necessary for the formation of a dense head. 



To produce pyramidal specimens, train the leading shoot in 

 an upright manner and stop it once or twice, if necessary, to 

 induce the plants to produce a beautiful proportion of side- 

 shoots, which also must be stopped once or twice. Sometimes 

 the leading shoot will break freely, and then it is not necessary 

 to stop it. The same sized pots and soil should be used as 

 recommended for the standards, and most efiicieut trainers 

 may be extemporised by a stout stake and a few pieces of 

 wood. After the plants have had their last shift, insert the 

 stake in the centre of the pot ; then make a ring of stout wire 

 about two feet in diameter, and with two cross-pieces of either 

 wood or wire. Lay it on the top of the pot, and fix it in its 

 place either with stout pegs driven into the soil, or else fix a 

 piece of wire just underneath the rim of the pot, and fasten 

 the cross-pieces to it ; then fasten lengths of thin wire or 

 string to the wire hoop, and bring the other ends to the top of 

 the stake and securely fasten them there. The young growth 

 must then be trained to the trellis regularly. A cold frame 

 will be the most desirable position for the stock until Septem- 

 ber, when it should be removed to the greenhouse. Liberal 

 supplies of water will be required until August, and afterwards 

 it must be applied in a more sparing manner ; but the plants 

 must not at any season of the year suffer through the soil 

 being kept too dry. It will also be needful to sprinkle them 

 overhead two or three times a week during warm weather, but 

 it matters not whether a water-can, to which a fine rose is 

 fixed, or a syringe is employed. 



MoK-DA. — A pretty genus of Cape bulbs, that may be 



