AND CONSERVATORT. 133 



specimens, and when it becomes necessary train out the side- 

 shoots by means of neat sticks. Those intended for exhibition 

 must have the branches brought close down to the rim of the 

 pot, and be kept down as much as possible during the first 

 year; but the growth of those intended for conservatory 

 decoration will merely require tying out to admit a free circu- 

 lation of air amongst the branches, and for securing a regular 

 well-balanced outline when they are in flower. Upright 

 growing plants with heads of bloom about twelve or fifteen 

 inches in diameter are the most useful for the conservatory, 

 and therefore excessive training must be avoided. 



Eemove them from the house when done flowering and 

 place the pots upon a bed of coal-ashes, and if practicable 

 shade them for a few days to allow the wood to become slightly 

 hardened before they are exposed to the full influence of the 

 sun. Henceforth they must have free exposure to the weather, 

 and in a fortnight or three weeks the wood will be matured 

 sufficiently to allow of their being cut down. The soil should 

 also be kept as dry as it is possible to keep it wi hout allowing 

 the leaves to flag. In pruning, cut back the young shoots to 

 within two or three buds of the old wood, according to their 

 respective positions, but the chief aim must be to ensure 

 a symmetrical appearance. In wet seasons they should be 

 placed in a cold frame, and the lights drawn off" at all times, 

 excepting when they are required to protect the inmates from 

 the rain. 'No water must be applied to the roots from the 

 time they are cut down until the young growth is about halt 

 an inch in length, but they will receive much benefit from a 

 sprinkle overhead in the afternoon of a dry hot day. AVheu 

 the young growth has begun to push, turn them out of the 

 pots, rerqove nearly if not quite all the old soil, trim the roots 

 slightly, and put each in a pot one or two sizes smaller than it 

 previously occupied. AVater very sparingly until they are well 

 established in the new soil. Even then, no more water must 

 be applied than is absolutely necessary to maintain a steady 

 growth. Early in September remove to the greenhouse for 

 the winter, and the only attention required to keep them in 

 health will be to supply them with water when necessary, and 

 to keep the foliage free from green-fly. 



Some time during January of the following year, repot all 

 that require a shift into pots two sizes larger ; that is, those 

 occupying three-inch pots should be put into the six-inch size, 



