76 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



to time that it may not be kept back longer than neces- 

 sary. The starting of leaves is a fair indication of 

 root growth, as the premature growth is usually of 

 buds. 



Geraniums are as easily raised as Carnations in- 

 deed, it seems only necessary to put them in the ground 

 and await results. In the spring sow the seed in drills 

 in hotbeds or flats, covering with an eighth of an inch 

 of soil. The plants should appear in from ten to 

 fifteen days, and if they do not stand too closely may 

 be allowed to grow on until they have two or three 

 leaves. If mixed seeds are sown of the fancy-leaved, 

 the scented, the zonale and the Lady Washington, the 

 development of the several kinds will afford a fasci- 

 nating study. 



Care should be taken to save the more delicate-look- 

 ing seedlings, as these will give the choicest varieties ; 

 the more robust plants among the zonales indicate a 

 retrogression toward the original type, which has 

 scarlet blooms. All choice new Geraniums are pro- 

 duced by seeds from hybridised flowers. Pot off the 

 last of May in three-inch pots, using good garden 

 loam and well-rotted manure. Pot them rather firmly 

 and plunge into the sand-box in full sunshine. Water 

 thoroughly and allow the soil to become dry before 

 watering again ; this tends to harden the new growth 

 and makes the plants stocky. Nip out the top of the 

 plants, forcing them to break or make new branches 

 near the ground. The nearer the ground a Geranium 



