30 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



in the way of drainage, and sees that every pot is suitably 

 furnished with the necessary means. 



SCHIZANTHTJS WlSETONENSIS 



Years of selection have done much to eliminate whatever was 

 objectionable in the habit of this interesting plant, and to 

 improve its coloration. Hence it has taken its place as a desir- 

 able plant, especially for early greenhouse work. Seeds should 

 be sown in July in a close, moist place, and germination may be 

 expected in five or six days. We have already insisted upon the 

 fact that directly seeds have germinated their exposure to light 

 is essential, but there is no plant to which this more particularh/ 

 applies than the Schizanthus. It springs up so rapidly that 

 twenty-four hours' delay in exposure handicaps the young 

 plants for life, for it develops long weak stalks no thicker than 

 threads. 



The well-being of this plant depends entirely upon a short, 

 sturdy growth, and to encourage this it must be grown near 

 to the glass preferably on a shelf, where, however, it must never 

 be left to dry itself out. By quickly transplanting from the seed 

 pan, this habit is promoted, and the same promptness in moving 

 in to single pots has the same happy result. By the end of 

 August the plants should certainly be in the 6o's and standing in 

 a shallow frame on the shady side. In October they will be more 

 than ready for their flowering pots and should then be stood in 

 a light greenhouse on a stage not far removed from the glass, 

 where they must be given ample space. They are as easy to 

 grow as parsley if their surroundings are congenial. 



As they make great demands upon the soil, this must of necessity 

 be rich and should be composed of old turf and cow manure, 

 with sand, all chopped up together in preference to sifting. 

 If the loam is consistent and not turfy, then a little sifted leaf 

 mould should be added to prevent compression, because though 

 the Schizanthus is an easy subject, it needs all it can get to 

 perfect its root system. It should never be allowed to dry, 

 nor should it be over-watered. Over-watering deranges the 

 drainage, and it is imperative that this be perfect. 



