SECT. XIX. LISTS OF TREES, &C. 387 



trim off all dangling, or too crowding shoots ; but 

 if cuttings are wanted for encrease, they should not 

 be trimmed till these are to be planted. At any 

 rate, dead leaves, or unsightly crooked parts, should 

 be discharged, and symmetry, in a snug round head, 

 provided for. Geraniums are free growers, and it 

 is always adviseable to take off some shoots to keep 

 them down and in form. A few of the plants, that 

 most need it (as least handsome or healthy) should 

 be severely cut, for a late blow, which generally 

 proves a jine one in consequence. A judicious re* 

 gular use of neat slender sticks is of much advan- 

 tage to geraniums, or other potted plants. 



What has been said of geraniums, applies to all 

 those EXOTICS, called Greenhouse Plants, in the 

 management of which, it is a material thing not to 

 shift into too large pots, as the roots run directly to 

 the outsides, and so would be too hastily brought 

 to require the biggest pots. Another thing is, to 

 take off some of the top soil, not only as directed 

 in spring, but once or twice in the summer ; and 

 always before housing in autumn, and replacing it 

 with a rich compost, as one of almost all rotten 

 cow dung, which being black, is the most suitable to 

 the eye, cool and nourishing. 



It is material to neatness, and the end of orna- 

 ment, (for which plants are chiefly potted) that the 

 pots should be occasionally washed, or scoured, and 

 by no means suffered to get mouldy. This is a point 

 so little attended to, that we sometimes see a beau- 

 -tiful plant in a very disgusting habitation.. It is 

 equally offensive, and injurious, to suffer the surface 

 earth to get mossy, or caked hard by the necessary 

 waterings ; to prevent which, often stir the surface, 

 and lay it smooth, which makes all look creditable. 



Pinks'are sometimes layered, or more usually pro- 

 pagated by cuttings, or pipings, about Midsummer ; 



c c 2 



