154 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



Pelargoniums ; tie and train successions ; prepare for an 

 early supply of cuttings ; they will strike better now in an 

 open border, than two months hence in pits or frames. 

 Choice varieties should be struck in thumb pots, they are 

 less liable to damp off, and after they have struck can be 

 shifted without the smallest injury to the roots. Cut down 

 Heaths when done flowering ; shift those starting again, after 

 being pruned : propagate by seed and by cuttings in a pit 

 under hand-glasses. Shifting must be attended to with all 

 successions, such as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Balsams, Cocks- 

 combs, &:c. Cuttings of Petunias and shrubby Calceolarias may 

 be put in, as directed for Pelargoniums. Petunias put in now 

 will make excellent stock plants to strike from, for bedding- 

 out next year. Cuttings of all soft-wooded plants, for 

 bedding-out, may be put in as they can be spared in the 

 open border. Take off decayed blooms unless where seed 

 is required, and keep plants clear of dead leaves. Chrysan- 

 themums will now require stopping, that they may throw'out 

 laterals. If dwarf specimens be an object, top cuttings may 

 be put in ; or single shoots, layered into pots, placed beside 

 the parent, will make fine, short flowering plants. 



February. Give air night and day, especially during 

 the former. In very hot weather, it is advisable to keep 

 rather close with a moist atmosphere during the day, giving, 

 all the air possible during the evening and night. This treat- 

 ment will apply to Heaths, Azaleas, and Camellias, &c., that 

 are now making their growth. Those which have set their 

 buds may be removed to a sheltered place, and have no 

 glass protection for a time. Pelargoniums which have been 

 cut down, and have started to grow, may now have the soil 

 shaken from them, potted in light soil and placed in a close, 

 moist pit to encourage free growth ; until that growth has* 

 taken place, give little water at the roots. In growing from 

 cuttings, success will greatly depend in never allowing them 

 to stand still, but keeping them constantly but slowly 

 growing. Cut down successional plants as they finish blooming. 

 If required to flower again before Winter, simply remove the- 

 old flowers and nip the points of the branches, this being, 

 more applicable to the fancy varieties. Zonale Geraniums 

 for Winter flowering should be placed in an exposed sunny 

 situation, and kept moderately dry, in order to harden their 



