-^ 



CrLTURE OF FAVORITE PEAXTS. 



1 



but very rarely from Needs, as it is too sUiw a proeess, requirin 

 obtain a good .speeiineii. They are easily eultixated as house plai 

 to amateurs as choice beauties, well worth)' of their attention. 



iree or tour years to 

 uid are recommended 



aER^V^^^IUM. 



(ieranium in all its 

 house-plants, being- 



ties is one of the most satisfactory among 

 irably adapted tor either window, parlor, 

 greenhouse or garden culture. They run through various shades 

 of color. Of the reds, the deep or blood tints are much handsomer 

 than the paler or orange reds, and the pink and white are both deli- 

 cate and pure. The double ones do not drop their petals like the 

 yet some of the single ones hold their own well, and bear very 

 trusses. The single white are many times \ ery tickle, scarce holding 



the 



ill 





unclasps, which is \ cry provoking if a full 

 It is w ell to make this inquiry when pur- 

 s a difterence the labor might as well be ex- 

 e most lasting pleasure. We have one plant, 

 its blossoms nearly a month, with from thirty to forty 

 e rather herbaceous in growth, their stems being a grayish 

 ;reen, and hut sliglitly woody. When grown in the house tluring suml^^er they should be 

 given plenty of air to ripen their stalks, as they withstand the cold lietter. Those that 

 blossomed in summer can be buried in a clry pit and covered with a foot of leaves, or 

 kept in the cellar in an entirely dark place, free from frost, and require little or no water; 

 We say entirely dark, as in a partial light they develop a useless, spindling growth. They 

 can also be wintered at a window, if the space is not wanted for blooming other plants, 

 the watering being governed by their needs. For future outdoor decoration large plants 

 may be pulled up by the roots, the loose soil shaken off, the green wood and leaves 

 trimmed back to the ripe wood, and the green cuts carefully powdered with charcoal and 

 air-slacked lime, when the whole may be hung up in a dark place free from frost. In the 

 spring the plants should be withdrawn from their retreat, trimmed back considerably, 

 repotted if necessary, and given a little special attention, when they will very soon grow. 

 Geraniums are among the easiest plants to slip. They must have two joints at least, 

 and three would be better, the cutting being just at the third. They are less apt to damp 

 or rot off if laid aside for two or three days in the shade before planting, as b\ that time 

 the broken end heals over, or forms a scar, which prevents the sap froin. escaping. Thev 

 are then ready for planting. Many, however, put them down entirely fresh. Some 

 kinds can also be started in wet sand, and set on the window-sill in the sun, in which 

 case the sand must be kept always sopping wet, like mud, the slips being potted as soon 

 as the roots are assured; but the fleshy, succulent varieties require less water. . The\- 

 can also be rooted in soil. For ourselves, not wanting manv at a time, we stick them 

 down in pots of our large plants, close to the side of the pot, where the slope of the 



:!6s 



^^^m 



