14 ANTIRRHINUMS AND PENTSTEMONS 



into the production of a limited number of fine, tall spikes. 

 Thus, after the first pinching, to induce the young plants 

 to " break," the grower should select about three or four 

 of the most vigorous growths, and carefully remove the 

 others while still small, cutting them cleanly away with a 

 sharp knife, close to the main stem. As the selected shoots 

 rise they should be provided with neat stakes, and should 

 be tied, but not too tightly, at intervals, to prevent them 

 blowing about. None of the large leaves growing on the 

 selected stems should be removed, but the small shoots 

 that form in the axils may be pinched out as soon as large 

 enough to handle between the thumb and finger. The 

 plants must be kept well watered during dry periods, and 

 as soon as the flower-buds begin to make themselves 

 plainly visible feeding may be judiciously taken in hand. 

 One method of feeding is to sprinkle small quantities 

 of a good fertiliser around the plants, and in showery 

 weather this is the best method to adopt. Such reliable 

 fertilisers as " Clay's," Multiple, Ichthemic Guano, or 

 Bull's Treblef old, may be used at the rate of a teaspoonf ul 

 per plant, given once a fortnight. Another concentrated 

 manure that has given great satisfaction is Wellson's 

 Plant Food. This may be spread evenly but thinly over 

 the whole surface of the bed, and lightly hoed in. Four 

 to eight ounces per square yard makes a dressing that 

 will carry the plants well on toward blooming, and it may 

 be repeated in three or four weeks' time with advantage. 

 Should the season be dry, a better method of feeding is to 

 first well soak the bed with clear water, and an hour or 

 two later give another soaking with liquid manure. 

 Wellson's makes good liq'/.id manure by placing a few 

 pounds in a cotton or canvas bag and immersing in a 

 barrel or tank of water for a day or two. The liquor 

 should be diluted until it is of a light-brown colour. The 

 other fertilisers mentioned should be dissolved at the 

 strength advised by the manufacturers, but never make 



