ATTD CONSERTATOET. 129 



pretty "when grown in pots under glass, but for conservatory- 

 decoration are less useful than petunias. 



For the purpose of laying a good foundation, in the month of 

 March, take the tops off the healthiest autumn-struck plants, 

 and strike them in a good bottom-heat. They will begin to 

 grow freely as soon as furnished with roots, and this will be 

 the best indication the cultivator could have of their being 

 ready for potting off. Prepare a compost by mixing together 

 two parts of turfy loam and a part each of leaf-mould and old 

 hotbed manure, and about a sixth part of sand. Put the com- 

 post in the house a day or two before required for use, and 

 then put them singly in three-inch pots. They should remain 

 a few days in the propagating pit after they are potted off, and 

 then be removed to an intermediate house, where they can be 

 kept rather close until the roots become established in the new 

 soil. They must not be coddled, but it would check the growth 

 too much to take them to the greenhouse, where they would 

 be fully exposed to a free circulation of air. If there is no 

 choice about taking them direct to the greenhouse, then place 

 them in the warmest corner, and keep the ventilators near them 

 closed for a few days. 



"When they are established in the small pots nip out the 

 growing points, to cause them to produce side-shoots, and 

 when the latter are about two inches in length, stop them by 

 nipping out the points. They will probably require to be sliifted 

 into larger pots before they are stopped a second time, but very 

 often it is better not to repot until afterwards. It is a golden 

 rule to shift when the pots are well filled with roots, but 

 before they become potbound. Specimens in six-inch pots 

 will be quite large enough for ordinary decorative purposes ; 

 but if they are required extra large shift them into eight- or 

 nine-inch pots as soon as they are well established. 



Training must be proceeded with after the second stopping, 

 and the simplest form possible should be adopted. All balloon 

 or other wire trellises should be avoided, and a few neat 

 stakes only be employed. Prom the time they are established 

 in the small pots until they begin to bloom, a cold frame or 

 greenhouse, where they can be placed near the glass, and 

 enjoy a fresh circulation of air, will be the best position. 

 Water liberally, and after the pots in which they are to bloom 

 are well filled with roots, use rather weak liquid manure alter- 

 nately with soft, pure water. Syringe them overhead occasion- 



