130 HOME 1 I.ORICLLTURE 



The Piiclisia 



This well-known old flower is a favorite cven,'- 

 whcre, as it deserves to be. But it is seldom seen 

 in perfection, because nearly everyone who grows it 

 seems to be under the impression that it is — or ought to 

 be — a winter bloomer, therefore, it is kept growing 

 the year round. In consequence of this, the plant is 

 never as strong as it would be if treated as a summer 

 bloomer, which it is, with one or two exceptions. It 

 should be allowed to rest for at least three months of 

 each year. If this is done, it will bloom for a period 

 of nearly six months, with the greatest profusion. But 

 if this is not done, the vitality of the plant is so lowered 

 that it is likely to make a weak growth, and its 

 flowers will be fewer in number and greatly inferior. 



The proper treatment of the plant is to put it in 

 the cellar in November. There keep it as nearly dor- 

 mant as possible, by withholding water until there is 

 but little moisture in the soil. It does not matter if 

 it sheds its foliage. In February or March bring 

 It up, and go over it, cutting it back at least one-half 

 — two-thirds might be better — and it will soon start 

 into growth under the influence of water, light and 

 warmth. Give it a soil of leaf mold, if possible, with 

 considerable sharp sand in it, and have the pots well 

 drained. Old plants will require considerable root 

 room, as they do not do well when pot-bound. Repot 

 as soon as growth begins, each spring. 



It will grow in almost any soil, but it does its 

 best in a light, open, spongy one. Turfy matter will 

 be found a good substitute for leaf mold if the latter is 

 not obtainable. It must be watered well. If allowed 

 to get reallv dry at its roots, it will often drop its 

 foliage and its buds. One drying out will give it a 

 check from which it will not fullv recover during the 

 entire season. Therefore, watch it well in this respect. 



