286 GREEN-HOUSEGERANIUMS. * % [AUGUST. 



* 



GERANIUMS. 



These plants, about the first of the month, require a 

 complete dressing. In the first place collect them all 

 together, and with a sharp knife cut off the wood of 

 this year to within a few eyes of the wood of last year. 

 Citriodorum and its varieties do not need pruning. The 

 plants grown from cuttings during the season, that 

 have flowered, cut them to about four inches from the 

 pot. This being done, have the earth all prepared 

 with potshreds or fine gravel for draining the delicate 

 kinds. And in a shaded situation turn the plants pro- 

 gressively out of the pots they are in, reducing the balls 

 of earth so that the same pots may contain them again, 

 and allow from half an inch to two inches, according 

 to the size of the pot, of fresh soil around the ball, which 

 press down by a thin piece of wood cut for the purpose. 

 Finish by leveling all neatly with the hand. Give very 

 gentle waterings from a pot with a rose mouth, for a 

 few weeks, until they have begun to grow, protecting 

 them entirely from the sun, till that period, then take 

 the opportunity of a cloudy day to expose them. After 

 this repotting, the following kinds are liable to suffer 

 from too much water : Pavoninum, Daveyanum, fulgens, 

 ardens, citriodorum, rubescens^Jlorabundum^ ardescens ; with 

 those of a similar habit, and these species do not re- 

 quire so much encouragement at the root as the strong 

 growing sorts. The tuberous rooted and deciduous 

 species must be very moderately supplied. Be careful 

 when watering that the new soil does not become sa- 



