DIVISION. 47 



side the seed pot; select a plant, take hold of it with one hand, between finger 

 and thumb, and with the stick in the other hand, loosen and raise the plant. 

 Now it will appear to be the most erratic of all plants, on being raised the 

 roots are inclined to cling to something, and most particularly to the leaves, and 

 to get tangled together and seemingly impossible to separate and straighten 

 out. When such is the case allow the plant to float, straightening out the 

 roots by means of the stick and then with a gentle pressure near the tips of the 

 roots move the plant to the desired spot and press it gently into the new soil. 

 That is all that is necessary, and in this manner the work can be performed 

 expeditiously and in good style. After the seedlings have made some good 

 growth they should be potted singly into small pots {2V2 or 3 inch), and when 

 well established in these, repotted into 4-inch pots and from these into summer 

 quarters, or as the case demands. Do not allow the seedlings to remain long 

 in the seed pots, but keep the young plants growing steadily, and if they 

 appear to be in a stand-still condition, wash off all loose soil and repot in fresh 

 material. 



Hardy species that do not produce seed may be propagated by division of 

 the roots or rhizomes, which work is best accomplished in spring, and when 

 new growth is assured. Tropical species of the dentata and rubra types pro- 

 duce side shoots, which form tubers toward the close of the season. After the 

 leaves are cut off by frost, the main root, with side shoots attached, should be 

 dug up, the roots trimmed, and any dead stalks cut off. These stools may be 

 planted under the benches in a greenhouse in sandy soil, giving them a good 

 watering to settle the soil about the roots; after a few days it may be necessary 

 to repeat the same operation. After this the plants may be allowed to become 

 dry, but not so dry so as to shrivel. In this condition they will remain sound 

 and good for a long period. 



The most simple and easy method of holding stock plants is to keep one 

 or two of a kind in 4 or 5-inch pots during the summer; they will probably 

 exhaust the plant food in these small pots before the season is over, and may 

 give but little bloom, but show a tendency to go to rest early, the leaves take 

 on autumn hues and tubers are formed. At the proper time these plants 

 should be taken out of the water, and the pots, with their contents, placed 

 under the bench in the greenhouse or other suitable or convenient place. 

 If left too long in the water and the weather is hot, the tubers will start into 

 growth, and if taken out too soon the tubers may not be sufficiently ripe to 

 keep until they are wanted to start in the following spring. In spring the 



