NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 12$ 



the usual way ; place some rough siftings over the drainage, 

 and upon them place as much soil as will raise the ball of 

 earth the plants are growing in to the level of the rim of the 

 new pots ; then turn the plants in succession out of the pots ; 

 remove carefully the drainage that may be attached to each 

 ball ; place the plant in the fresh pot, and fill round the ball 

 the new compost till the pot is full ; then give a gentle 

 stroke upon the bench and fill up the deficiency ; the old 

 ball should then be covered about half an inch, and a small 

 space left below the level of the rim ; then give a gentle 

 watering and return them to the greenhouse or cold frame, 

 placing them close to the glass. As they grow, take care to 

 stop each shoot, thereby inducing a bushy habit. The tops, 

 if required, may be made use of as cuttings. In this stage 

 the plants will require constant attention to keep them duly 

 supplied with water, and plenty of air when the weather is 

 mild. 



About the middle of October they will require a second shift 

 into larger pots, using the same kind of compost, taking the 

 same precautions as to drying the soil, draining the pots and so 

 forth. Most probably the green fly will now make its appear- 

 ance, and it must be instantly destroyed by frequent fumiga- 

 tions with tobacco. When the weather becomes warmer 

 they will grow much stronger and more bushy in a cold 

 frame or pit, upon a layer of coal ashes, than on the 

 greenhouse stage. 



A third and last shift will be necessary in December. 

 The plants should then be put into pots nine inches in 

 diameter, and in these they are to flower. As soon as the 

 usual inhabitants of the greenhouse are removed into their 

 Summer quarters the Petunias will be in a fit state to take 

 their place. Plenty of air should be given, and the roof 

 should be shaded whenever the sun shines brightly. 



Out-door Culture. Petunias may be planted out in beds 

 or borders as soon as the frosts have gone. They require a 

 rich, deep, loamy soil. They may be pegged down like 

 verbenas ; but as the young branches are very brittle, they 

 must be handled gently. They may also be staked ; either 

 plan should be attended to, otherwise a whole season's 

 beauty may be destroyed by one fitful blast of wind. The 

 single varieties are the best for out-door culture. 



