Gn the Cultivation of Geraniums. 95 



In England geraniums are so much valued, that houses hav^e 

 been built expressly for their culture; some of which have cir- 

 cular fronts, with arched roofs, not uufrequently connected with 

 the mansion house, and others with span roofs, which, if I mis- 

 take not, take the precedence over any other kind of structure 

 for the growth of geraniums. 



To cultivate and grow geraniums to great perfection, (however 

 simple it may appear to be,) it is indispensably necessary for 

 the well doing of the plants that they be near the glass, where 

 they will not be in the least shaded by others of a more ramping 

 growth; a free circulation of air must be given every opportu- 

 nity. If this is neglected, they are great tale tellers, and will 

 soon speak for themselves. The most delicate sorts ought to 

 be arranged together, for if mixed in with more robust growers, 

 they are sure to suffer more or less from their not being able to 

 keep pace with them. Some judgment in watering is also neces- 

 sary, as some of the strong growing sorts need a much greater 

 supply than those of weaker habits; some of the species have 

 thick fleshy roots, whilst others again are fibrous rooted. As a 

 general rule to go by, the fibrous rooted kinds make the most 

 luxuriant growth. 



The propagation of these plants is so well known, that almost 

 every cultivator has a system of his own; therefore, I shall 

 merely state the method I prefer to all others yet known by me. 

 In the first or second week of June, make up a bed of oak leaves, 

 eighteen inches in height, and about twelve inches wider all round 

 than the frame you intend to use for this purpose; but if the 

 leaves are not at hand, use stable manure, making the bed of the 

 same dimensions as just stated; but if the bed, after it is made, 

 should happen to throw up a strong heat, it must be remembered 

 that the cuttings should by no means be placed in it before the 

 heat is on the decline. I w-ish the reader to understand me 

 when I say, all that is necessary is a moderate heat, which will 

 be the means of the cuttings making fine roots in a short time. 

 A north or north-west aspect should be preferred. Supposing 

 this much is done, and all is ready for the cuttings, proceed to 

 take them from the plants, and first strip off two or three of the 

 lower leaves, and make a straight cut under the petiole or foot- 

 stalk of the leaf, observing to leave them not more than four in- 

 ches in length; this done, prepare as many \o. 1 pots, or the 

 smallest size that is made, as are wanted, by placing a piece of 

 pot over the hole at the bottom, with the hollow side downwards, 

 and filling it up to the rim with finely sifted, rich soil, with a portion 

 of sand well mixed with it; then put only one cutting in the 

 centre of each pot, to the depth of one and a half inches, and 

 thus go on until the whole are finished, — then give them a gentle 

 watering with a watering pot, through a fine rose. A few days 



