122 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



the holes made by the planting stick are filled up with dry- 

 sand ; it runs more readily into the holes than moist sand 

 would do ; then give a gentle watering again, which firmly 

 fastens the sand round each cutting ; leave them on the 

 bench for an hour to dry off the surface moisture. After 

 that, place them, if in Spring, in a gentle hot-bed, or, if in 

 Summer or Autumn, in a pit or frame ; shade from bright 

 sunshine, and water when the surface becomes quite dry. 

 Mind the watering-pot, and do not use it too freely upon 

 Petunia cuttings until they are fairly rooted and show 

 evident signs of having made roots and growth. Then give 

 plenty of air, and expose them fully. The Spring and 

 Summer cuttings should be potted off immediately when 

 rooted ; but those struck late in the year may remain in the 

 cutting pots through the Winter. When they are potted, 

 whatever may be the period, they should be placed in a 

 frame or pit where they can be shaded and kept close for a 

 few days until fresh roots are produced ; let them then be 

 gradually inured to bear the full light and air. 



By Seed. The seed should be gathered as soon as it is- 

 ripe, carefully cleaned from the seed vessels, and kept dry 

 and cool through the Winter. Sow. it in the Spring in 

 shallow pans, placed in a gentle hot -bed, or on a shelf close 

 to the glass in a warm greenhouse or propagating house. 

 When the seedlings come up, prick them out in similar 

 pans rather thinly. This can scarcely be done too early, for 

 if allowed to remain too long in the seed-pan there is great 

 danger of their damping off. When they have made three 

 or four leaves put them singly into thumb-pots ; and, as 

 soon as there is no fear of frosts injuring them, plant them 

 out in a nursery-bed till they flower. 



Soil. Loam procured from the surface of a pasture is 

 best. Of this loam take one-half, add to it one-quarter leaf 

 mould, one-eighth well decomposed hot-bed manure, one- 

 eighth sandy peat, and as much sand as would give the 

 compost a sandy character. 



Spring and Summer Treatment. The soil for repotting 

 being moderately dry, let the plants be brought out of the 

 greenhouse to the bench, and prepare the pots to receive 

 them. If old and dirty, let them be clean-washed, and do 

 not use them till they are perfectly dry ; put in drainage in 



