158 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1892. 



and three lateral shoots start at once at its base, which, if allowed 

 to grow, will destroy the bud. If this bud appears between 

 August 15th and September 10th, with most varieties it is safe 

 to take it; and the three offsets at the base should be broken off 

 as soon as it can be done without injuring the bud, all laterals to 

 be kept broken off' the plant after the bud is taken. If the 

 crown bud appears too early it must be removed and one of the 

 three laterals allowed to grow, and upon the end of this will 

 appear the trimmed bud which differs from the crown bud, by 

 being a cluster of buds which, as soon as it can safely be done 

 should be reduced to one, leaving the centre one, if perfect. 

 Care will be required in removing the surplus buds without 

 injuring the one that remains. 



As soon as the plants show buds, commence feeding witli 

 liquid manure, applying it every two or three days, weak at first 

 increasing the strength until the plants are in full bloom. Soot 

 water mixed occasionally with the liquid dressing improves the 

 color of both the foliage and the flowers. 



While the plants are making their growth, give all the air 

 possible from top ventilation both day and night, until danger 

 from frost. If any mildew makes its appearance evaporate 

 sulphur. 



If it is desirable to grow the plants on a stage in the green, 

 house, by shifting the plants from three into four inch pots before 

 they become potbound, and again potting them firmly in six inch 

 pots about the first of August, and placing them as close as they 

 can stand on the stage, as large a proportion of exhibition 

 blooms may be grown as in the benches, but they will require 

 more attention to prevent the soil becoming dry. As the plants 

 come into flower give fire heat in moist or cool weather sufticient 

 to give a temperature of 45° to 50° at night. The blooms shoujd 

 be kept tied in an upright position to prevent their growing one 

 sided. 



A selection of the best varieties is constantly becoming more 

 diflicult, owing to the large number of new varieties being added 

 every year that have not been sutiiciently tested to prove their 

 merit for general cultivation. In making up a collection there 

 are three points to be considered, first, varieties that will furnish 



