AS AN EXHIBITION PLANT. 



roots have no longer fresh soil from which to obtain nourishment. A clear 

 infusion of sheep, horse or cow manure will be found to induce a vigorous 

 growth and fine foliage. Soot-water (clear of course) will impart a deep rich 

 colour to the foliage, and ensure a healthy condition. This is best made by 

 placing a small bag of soot, securely tied, in the cistern, or in a tub of 

 water, and stirring it up with a stout stick occasionally. 



A solution of nitrate of soda, commencing with a quarter of an ounce, 

 and gradually increasing the strength to half an ounce to the gallon of" 

 water, greatly stimulates growth, and adds size to the blooms as well, but this 

 agent must be very carefully used, or more harm than good will result. 

 Sulphate of ammonia, of about the same strength, does not appear to affect 

 the growth or foliage much, but greatly increases the quantity and fineness of 

 the bloom, and is generally employed for "finishing off" almost all kinds of 

 florists' flowers. In the case of Pelargoniums, etc., it Jias a marvellous effect 

 in inducing an abundant inflorescence, and it is to a great extent by the skilful 

 use of this agent that the magnificent pot plants so abundant in the London 

 flower markets are produced. It has an almost equally good effect on tuberous 

 Begonias, but to secure the best results it should be administered as exactly, 

 carefully, and regularly as powerful medicine to a delicate child. 



Where a high degree of excellence is required we would recommend an 

 alternation or rotation of, say, three of the above stimulants, or even of all 

 of them, giving, when the proper stage has been reached, a dose of soot- 

 water one day, with clear water at the next application, next time the sul- 

 phate of ammonia, with clear water again, then a decoction of sheep or 

 horse manure, and so on, giving the stimulant at every alternate watering, 

 using it weak at first, and gradually increasing the strength as the plants 

 advance and get accustomed to the dose. 



Soft water alone should be used throughout, and this should be as nearly 

 as possible at the same temperature as the house at the time. To this end 

 a tank or cistern large enough to contain a full day's supply, or more, should 

 be provided, and if this be filled up overnight the water will be about right 

 for using the next day, though if it can stand a whole day so much the 

 better. A good plan is to have spouting fixed along the eaves on both sides- 

 of the house, discharging into a large cistern 'inside, so that a supply of 

 rain water at the right temperature may always be at hand. 



HINTS ON PACKING FOR TRAVELLING. 



GHOWERS of Begonias have one disadvantage to contend with when exhibiting,, 

 in the fact that they do not travel at all well, and if they have to be taken 

 any considerable distance the plants often look very different when staged to- 

 what they did when they left home. But attention to a few important 

 points will go far to overcome this difficulty, and enable the plants to suffer 

 but little in the course of a moderate journey. First, the single-flowered. 



