138 THE amateur's greenhouse 



in the full sun, and before planting them it will be well to cut 

 them into shape, and allow them time to make a fresh start 

 before disturbing the roots. They must not be allowed to 

 flower, and the points of all the shoots should be pinched out 

 when two inches long, and the last stopping should take place 

 in the first week of August. In the first week of September 

 take them up carefully and pot them in six-inch pots, and 

 shut them up close for a week. Afterwards put them in a light 

 airy part of the house ; keep them rather dry all the winter ; in 

 February stop them all over, or sufiiciently to promote the 

 filling-up of gaps and uniformity of contour, and in March 

 shift into eight-inch pots. If they are intended for conserva- 

 tory decoration they need not be trimmed or tied, but if for 

 exhibition they must be moulded to the watch-glass shape by 

 means of sticks and wires. 



A good compost for single zonals may be prepared by 

 mixing together five parts of good turfy loam with one part 

 each of thoroughly decayed hotbed manure, leaf mould, and 

 sharp sand. The double zonals are so vigorous in habit, that 

 in preparing a compost for them it will be well to omit the 

 manure and to give them less root room than the singles, for 

 if they acquire any degree of grossness through good living, 

 they will have more the appearance of cabbages than gera- 

 niums, and will probably not flower sufiiciently to aff"ord excuse 

 for likening them to cauliflowers. 



To ensure a good bloom of zonals in winter, begin with 

 young plants in three-inch pots in April. These should be the 

 best obtainable from cuttings struck the previous autumn. 

 Shift into six-inch pots, and put them in a cold pit and venti- 

 late freely. In the first week of June put them in the open, 

 on a bed of ashes or leaves, and keep them growing freely, and 

 from time to time pinch out the points of the shoots both to 

 promote the growth and prevent fiowering. In July shift 

 them into eight-inch pots, and return them to the bed in the 

 open. About the 10th of August stop them all over for the 

 last time. About the 10th of September house them near the 

 glass, and give plenty of air. As the dull cold days approach, 

 begin to force them, but in a very gentle manner, and you will 

 soon have flowers in galore. The temperature should average 5QP 

 by night and 60° by day, with a rise to 65° during sunshine. 



Teicoloes make fine pot plants, and it is necessary to grow 



