The Cultivation of the Fuchsia. 265 



stamens as soon as they open, and, when they are fully ex- 

 panded, apply the pollen from their flowers, the properties of 

 which you wish to impart : tie something round them to dis- 

 tinguish them from the others, and, when they are ripe, the 

 seeds may be separated from the pulp by washing them out 

 in clear water ; the good seed will sink to the bottom. 



The seeds may be sown any time in the early part of spring, 

 in a pot of light soil, and placed in a greenhouse ; they do not 

 require much heat to vegetate them ; at least I have found 

 them come up quite as well, if not better, without it, and the 

 plants so produced are much stronger than those raised in a 

 higher temperature. As soon as they are of size to handle 

 nicely, pot them singly in small pots, and place them in a 

 light airy situation ; if they are grown in a close atmosphere, 

 it tends to draw them out weak and lanky, so that the true 

 habit of the plant is not seen ; shift them into larger pots 

 when necessary; a four or six inch pot will be large enough, 

 as large shifts only tend to keep them growing, and retard 

 their flowering; they should never be topped or pruned until 

 they flower. The principal object is to mature their growth 

 quickly, so that the flowers may be seen as soon as possible. 

 Many of them will bloom the same season; after they have 

 done growing, and the foliage drops off, they should be spar- 

 ingly watered, and be kept almost dry all winter. The fol- 

 lowing spring, water them freely, and, when they show signs 

 of growth, place them where they will have plenty of air and 

 light, but do not shift them until they flower for reasons be- 

 fore mentioned. I prefer flowering seedlings out of doors, 

 after all danger of frost is past, as I have invariably found 

 that the colors come brighter and more distinct than when 

 kept in the house. It is desirable, however, to choose a sit- 

 uation where they will be somewhat shaded from the sun in 

 the hottest part of the day. 



The fuchsia is not very particular as to soil ; any good gar- 

 den mould will suit the plants well enough, provided it is of 

 a free porous texture, and the pots well drained. Many of 

 the strong growing sorts are frequently destroyed by being 

 put into large pots in a rich soil. This is often the reason 

 why serratifolia, fulgens, corymbiflora, and some of these sorts 

 are shy in flowering. I once potted two plants of serratifolia, 



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