138 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



even use sheep shears in cutting them back and thus pro- 

 duce a dense head. If desired in a standard form, they 

 can be so grown by selecting a strong plant, and train- 

 ing it to a single stem to the hight desired and rubbing 

 off all side shoots. It is then topped and a head formed. 

 During the winter the plants are allowed to rest at 

 a temperature of 45 or 50 degrees, until within seven or 

 eight weeks of the time the flowers are desired, after 

 which they will need 60 or 65 degrees. With proper 

 handling, a plant can be kept in flower for two to four 

 weeks, and a succession of bloom can be secured 

 for six weeks or two months. After flowering, they 

 should be given a partial rest for two or three months, 

 when they should be repotted, and plunged out of doors. 

 The after-treatment is the same as for small plants. 

 An average sized potted plant is shown in Fig. 51. 



ardisia (Jrdisia crenulata). 



This plant adds to an attractiveness in leaf and 

 flower, that of showy red berries, which often hang on 

 for a twelve-month. While it can be grown from half- 

 hard cuttings during the summer, the use of seed is 

 more simple and gives better plants. These should be 

 sown in an open, sandy soil, and if placed in a stove 

 temperature with a strong bottom heat, should germi- 

 nate in two weeks. Although the seeds germinate thus 

 readily, the seedlings are somewhat difficult to start into 

 growth. The stronger ones should be potted off and 

 kept rather close until they have become established. 

 They should be kept growing until in four- or five-inch 

 pots, and, as soon as these are filled, liquid manure should 

 be given until the blossoms form. To aid them in set- 

 ting their fruit, they should be kept in a rather dry 

 atmosphere and near the glass. If, after the fruits have 

 set, they are kept at 45 or 50 degrees, they will last 

 much longer. During their growth, they do best if kept 



