134 THE AMATEUE'd GEEENHOFSE 



and those in five-inch into pots eight inches in diameter, No 

 further shift will be required until after they have done 

 flowering. After the end of February the young shoots will 

 make vigorous progress, and should be tied neatly, and their 

 points nipped out. In succeeding years, when the period of 

 flowering will be more under the control of the cultivator, the 

 specimens intended for flowering in May must receive their 

 final stopping in January ; for June, in March ; and for July, 

 some time towards the end of April. Those required for May 

 must receive their final shift in October, and be placed in a 

 temperature a few degrees higher than that required for the 

 remaining portion of the stock. After the first season's 

 growth the plants should, as soon as they are well established 

 in the pots in which they are to flower, be watered with weak 

 liquid manure until the flowers open and with clear soft water 

 at all other times. They winter best in a temperature ranging 

 between 40° and 50°, according to the weather, and with just 

 enough fire-heat to keep the frost out and the atmosphere dry. 



A compost consisting of three parts sound turfy loam, and 

 one each of well-decayed hotbed manure and leaf-mould, and 

 half a part of sharp silver sand, will grow all the large-flowering 

 varieties to perfection. The soil must be used in a moderately 

 rough condition, and the loam and manure be well mixed 

 together. The compost should, if possible, be prepared six 

 months beforehand, by placing the manure between the layers 

 of loam when it is stacked up in a heap, as it comes from the 

 pasture or common. 



Cuttings of well-matured wood cut up into lengths of two 

 joints each, with a young side-shoot proceeding from the top 

 joint, strike freely. Prepare by cutting them close under the 

 bottom bud, and remove the lower leaf Insert in cutting 

 pots, prepared in the usual manner with a layer of dry sand 

 on the top, and then place in a cold frame. Keep rather close 

 and shade moderately during the first week or ten days, and 

 then ventilate freely, and expose to the full sun. Pot off" as 

 soon as nicely rooted, and if they are stopped when well 

 established and shifted into five-inch pots about a fortnight or 

 three weeks afterwards, they will make good specimens by the 

 following season. 



The fancy varieties are more difficult to strike than the show 

 kinds, and therefore require more care and attention, and it is 

 as well to give them the advantage of a mild bottom-heat, if 



