MISCELLANEOUS PLANTS 15 



five or six to a seven-inch and so on. By sorting and placing the taller 

 in the center and shorter at the edge, very symmetrical plants may be 

 had. Disbudding and feeding will need attention to assure best results. 



Single Stemmed The same culture as given for market plants will 

 suffice for this class, except they are generally grown in pots and restrict- 

 ed to one stem and flower. Those from one to two feet in height are more 

 effective and useful than taller ones; for this reason many prefer plung- 

 ing out-of-doors where they will have full benefit of the sun and air, 

 making them more dwarf than when grown under glass. 



Cuttings rooted early in June are best for this purpose. They must 

 be repotted, staked and tied as their needs demand. In July the final 

 potting takes place and the soil should be made very firm to secure short- 

 jointed growth. 



Miniature There has not been much attention given to this class in 

 this country, although cultural directions are given in many of the old 

 English works. 



The best time to take cuttings is from the first to the last of August, 

 according to the earliness of the variety. They are taken at the period 

 when the buds are just beginning to form and if delayed until very far 

 advanced, the wood becomes hardened and will not root freely. These 

 cuttings should be potted immediately into light soil and placed in a close 

 frame which has been made the same as a hotbed with fresh manure to 

 give forth a gentle bottom heat. 



In selecting cuttings take strong shoots from plants in the open 

 border or those grown under glass, and if the selection is made from 

 those which naturally do not grow high, so much the better. A 3 to 3 % 

 inch pot is large enough for this purpose. After the cuttings have been 

 plunged therein they must be covered with a sash and shaded to keep out 

 the strong light. It is also advisable to spray them over two or three 

 times a day which will maintain the most genial condition for root for- 

 mation. 



As soon as rooted (which may be ascertained by turning them out) 

 air should be given the frame, a little at first and increasing every few 

 days, to gradually harden the plants to a natural condition. In this man- 

 ner plants can be had 8 inches high with blooms 5 inches in diameter. 



For Cut Flowers The pot system is employed by all English growers 

 and doubtless most of those on the Continent. Culture, same as for Mar- 

 ket or Single Stem as far as training is concerned, shifting from time to 

 time as directed for specimen plants. Propagation may take place 

 from February to May, according to the variety and requirements of the 

 cultivator. Throughout England these plants are potted and plunged in 

 the open border as soon as danger of frost is over, and could be so treated 

 in this country if it were not for the ravishes of the Tarnished Plant Bug, 

 which is so numerous. 



If exhibition blooms are desired they may be grown to single stem, 

 or stopped early in June, saving three breaks which are grown on, each 

 to produce a flower later. 



