Cultivation of the Pelargonium. 39 



several degrees of frost may be excluded by their use ; and if 

 we set the fuel saved, and the better condition of the plants, 

 against the wear and tear of blinds, we shall find ourselves no 

 losers by their use. In severe weather, do not let the fire 

 heat, particularly at night, raise the temperature above 45 de- 

 grees. Pans of water for evaporation, placed on the heating 

 apparatus, whether pipes or flues, will be found valuable. 



BLOOMING. 



In April, we begin to arrange for this interesting time, now 

 at hand. The blooming shoots should be trained out by 

 sticks, that ought not to appear higher than the base of the 

 flower-stalk : the truss that will not support itself is either 

 drawn or unfit for the amateur's stage. Air should be freely 

 given from early in the morning till two, three, or four o'clock, 

 when the sun warmth should be shut in, and the syringe oc- 

 casionally drawn over them. The water should be rain, con- 

 ducted from the roof into a tank under the stage, or other 

 convenient place, where it will be kept at the temperature of 

 the house — an imj)ortant 'point. At the end of this month, 

 the eye, brought to a level with the plants, should look hori- 

 zontally over a surface of buds standing above the foliage, 

 similar to a crop of barley, when ripening. 



FUMIGATION. 



At all times, the plants should be kept clean ; but previously 

 to the flowers appearing, it is indispensable that not a green 

 fly should be allowed to exist ; fumigate, therefore, whether 

 aphides be detected or not. 



STAGING. 



The arrangement of the plants on the stage, when they are in 

 bloom is a point deserving of attention, for the general efiect is 

 very much heightened thereby. Some flowers, which will not 

 bear a nearer situation, are striking when placed at a distance 

 from the eye ; then again, placing the most opposite colors side 

 by side displays them to much greater advantage. But on this 

 point I need not enlarge. 



BLINDS. 



To preserve the flowers in bloom, the bees must be care- 

 fully kept out ; nothing answers better, for this purpose, than 

 cheap open muslin blinds, about A.d. per yard. By this means, 

 the light and air will be freely admitted, while the insects are 



