106 THE amateur's gbeenhousb 



ruary, March, or April. As there are many inferior sorts in 

 cultivation it is important to make a good selection, for, 

 between the best and the worst, the difference is as Hyperion 

 to a Satyr. The free-flowering kinds of the most distinct and 

 striking colours are always to be preferred. Many of the 

 most perfect exhibition incurved flowers are not showy, and, 

 although a connoisseur will prefer them to all others, many of 

 the high-coloured reflexed flowers will be preferred by those 

 who are less critical. Plenty of flowers and plenty of colour 

 are the principal desiderata in selecting for conservatory 

 decoration, and happily there are a few of the very finest ex- 

 hibition kinds, such, for example, as Jardin des Plantes, Mrs. 

 Gr. Bundle, Dr. Sharp, and the Prince of Wales, which give 

 us an abundance of flowers, of the most attractive character. 

 It is not important to select early-flowering kinds, because, as 

 they will be protected, the November frosts will not aff"ect 

 them. To divide an old plant into a number of suckers, each 

 with a few roots attached, or to make plants from cuttings 

 three inches long is such a simple business that it would be 

 waste of time to go into particulars. 



The start having been made, it will be well to bear in mind 

 that the young plants should have as much air and light as 

 possible while in the greenhouse, and that early in April the 

 point of every one should be pinched out to cause the produc- 

 tion of side branches. Soon after stopping, shift them into 

 forty-eight size pots. About the middle of May plunge them in 

 a bed of coal-ashes in an open spot, and let them be well taken 

 care of as to watering. In the first week of June look over the 

 plants, and if you are not familiar with the sorts, take a trade 

 catalogue and look them through. "When you find by the label 

 on your plant that you have to decide as to one of the finest 

 incurved varieties, do not stop the plant. In any case, if you 

 find the variety is not recommended for specimen culture, 

 refrain from stopping. On the other hand, those which are 

 recommended for specimens may be stopped in the first week 

 of June, as being free to flower. Incurved and late-flowering 

 varieties should only be stopped once, and better if not stopped 

 at all. Eeflexed, free-flowering, and early-flowering kinds in 

 all classes may be stopped twice, and the smaller sorts, such as 

 Intermediates and Pompons, may be stopped three times, and 

 the last pinching should be done in the early part of June or 

 by the middle of June at latest. 



