36 STOVE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



HEERIA ROSEA and H. ALBA are easily managed greenhouse plants. 

 They may be depended upon to give a liberal supply of bloom in Win- 

 ter and Spring if they get anything like fair treatment. They are propa- 

 gated by cuttings taken from soft wood in the Fall. 



HIBISCUS— The varieties of H. rosa-sinensis make first-class tub 

 plants. When thus cultivated they need liberal feeding, being robust 

 growers; and as the flowers are produced on the young wood there has 

 to be an abundant supply of this to have them looking at their best. 

 With the help of liquid manure bushes will thrive in the same tubs for 

 years. Autumn-struck cuttings, if grown on during Winter, will give 6- 

 inch pot plants by Spring. The varieties known as H. brilliantissimum 

 and H. grandiflorus are the best singles among the crimson varieties. 

 There are double reds, yellows and pinks; among the latter is " Peach 

 Blossom," which I grew for the first time last year. It has exceedingly 

 attractive flowers; the name describes the color of the flower well. The 

 plant blooms in a small state. All of the kinds delight in a soil having 

 a fair proportion of leaf mould. A quantity of crushed bone may be 

 added when the plants have to occupy the pots or tubs for any length 

 of time. The varieties of H. rosa-sinensis should be given a trial out-of- 

 doors; they grow and flower very luxuriantly. They may be kept dur- 

 ing Winter in a structure from which frost is excluded. In a low tem 

 perature, and kept dry at the roots, they are deciduous. 



HYDRANGEAS FOR POTS — Hydrangea hortensis and its varieties may 

 be propagated either in Spring or Fall. When the work is done in 

 Spring the cuttings must be taken from plants which are being forced in 

 the greenhouse, the wood of which is in excellent trim for the produc- 

 tion of strong, healthy roots. Those shoots which show no signs of 

 blooming are the ones to be taken for propagation. The cuttings root 

 very readily if given a syringing overhead two or three times daily. 

 Pot in 3-inch pots and plant out from these about the middle of May. 

 Or the plants may be potted into 5-inch pots and plunged in well-rotted 

 stable manure. They are, however, easier looked after in the field, and 

 there make plants every bit as good. Moreover, when lifted and potted 

 they can be given fresh soil, which will suit them when taken in to force 

 in the beginning of the year; whereas those in pots may not require 

 shifting, so far as their size is concerned, and yet be benefited by fresh 

 soil Where Hydrangeas will stand the Winter some of each kind should 

 be planted out permanently, so as to give an abundant supply of mate- 

 rial for cuttings. These cuttings should be taken during the Autumn 

 months, encouraged to fill their pots with roots, and then go to rest. 

 When given a shift from 3-inch into 5-inch pots, and brought gradually 

 into warmth, they develop very large heads of bloom, and toward the 

 latter part of their development liquid manure is necessary. 



Forcing— To have the forms of Hydrangea hortensis in bloom early 

 those plants which have been kept cool will by the middle of January 

 have lost their foliage, but if any remain cut it off to within a short dis- 

 tance of the stem. The plants, whether in 4, 5, or 6-inch pots, which 

 show that an increased size may be given, will stand the operation bet- 

 ter if the roots are disturbed as little as possible. The same size, or 



