472 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



blossom freely throughout the winter with ordinary house 

 treatment. 



19. SALVIA SPLENDENS, FULGENS, &c., Scarlet Sage, &c. 

 The green-house varieties of Sage, which also flower freely in 

 summer borders, afford flowers remarkable for the richness of 

 their colors. They are easily increased by cuttings, and some 

 varieties by seeds. 



20. VIOLA ODORATA, Violets. Sweet Violets, blue or pur- 

 ple, single or double, should have a place in every green-house 

 or parlor as well as garden, for their exquisite odor. 



Almost all the above, as noted under each, may be raised 

 from cuttings planted in June, and shaded either under glass 

 or without it. As soon as they begin to root they should be 

 potted in suitable compost see page 443 taking care to put 

 small sherds, or stones, or broken shells into the bottom of each 

 pot for proper drainage ; trim the young roots, if they have 

 become long ; fill up the pot sufficiently before putting in the 

 plant ; set its roots naturally, and fill the pot up carefully, 

 shaking it a little from time to time, and pressing the earth 

 moderately around the roots with the hand. Shade and water 

 them carefully for a few days until they start afresh. If they 

 are first set in small pots, they will require repotting with the 

 older plants in August or September, preparatory to taking 

 them in for winter. At this time let all straggling growth be 

 removed, and all excess shortened, and the plants, both old and 

 young, be brought into snug compass and neat condition. Let 

 all matted roots also be cut away, and long ones be shortened ; 

 remove a considerable portion of the old earth, and replace it 

 with fresh compost. Shade and water them with special care 

 until they recover from the operation, and before taking them 

 in for winter, pick off all dead or faded leaves, and burn them. 



If it be proposed simply to preserve the plants of this class 

 through the winter, the shrubs and many of the smaller plants 

 may be kept in a light, airy cellar ; but it is better that they 

 be placed at once in a pit so graded as that the tops are eight 

 or ten inches below the glass. The pit being properly banked 

 around, the sashes may be put on when found necessary for 

 the defense of the plants, and shutters, or straw mats, or both, 



