352 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



of well-rotted cow manure, makes an excellent soil for 

 poinsettias. 



During the summer, they may be plunged out of doors 

 in full sunlight, or grown in the benches in the greenhouse. 

 If grown under glass they should be given abundant ven- 

 tilation. They should be re-potted frequently, so as not 

 to become pot-bound. If this occurs, the lower leaves may 

 drop off. Poinsettias should be placed in a cool green- 

 house with some bottom heat, but the temperature should 

 never go below 55 at night. As soon as the plants begin 

 to show color, the temperature may be increased 10 or 

 15. Care should be taken that the plants do not become 

 dry, and the walks and floors in the houses should be 

 moistened frequently to produce a damp atmosphere. 



If the plants show any tendency to become pot-bound, 

 they should be given an application of liquid manure once 

 or twice a week. They should be carefully tied to preserve 

 a straight stalk. 



The plants should be fully developed by the early part 

 of December, when a temperature of 65 to 70 at night 

 will not be too high. The stock should be developed 

 several days before Christmas, and the temperature re- 

 duced to about 50 to harden the plants for the Christmas 

 trade. Poinsettias in pans or pots. should not be over- 

 watered, neither should they be allowed to dry out, or the 

 leaves will become yellow. Poinsettias for pans may be 

 propagated as late as the middle of August. After the 

 cuttings are potted up, they should be shaded for a few 

 days, and syringed frequently. As soon as the new roots 

 have developed, the plants should be placed in full sun- 

 light, and given plenty of ventilation. 



The plants should not be put into pans until 

 the last of September or the first of October; other- 



