54 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



that they are unimprovable. On the contrary, we have in mind 

 certain definite lines along which improvement might be sought. 

 But to the point. It is correct to say that for all practical 

 purposes Fuchsias are grown from cuttings inserted either in 

 the autumn or in the spring more generally the latter which 

 are taken as early in the season as possible. The old plants, 

 after their period of rest, are overhauled in January, pruned 

 and top-dressed, then subjected to warm, moist conditions 

 to induce quick and healthy growths. As soon as the young 

 shoots are large enough they are made into cuttings, being 

 severed from the plant near their base, which is found to be fairly 

 solid. We strike the earliest in shallow pans of sandy soil 

 stood in the propagating pit, but as spring comes on we do not 

 allow them such a valuable position, for they will strike in beds 

 on the benches of the house if only they are kept shaded. 



Their first watering is at the time of insertion when, if they 

 are in pots or pans, we dip them in a pail of water, holding them 

 level till completely saturated. If, on the contrary, they are 

 in beds, we give a thorough soaking through a fine rose, to settle 

 the soil well around them. This watering being so thorough, 

 the cuttings will need naught but a light sprinkling daily to 

 refresh the foliage, requiring no further watering until rooted. 

 In about three weeks after insertion they will be ready for potting, 

 and this should be into a clean wholesome compost of loam, 

 leaf soil, and sand. Pot them fairly firmly into 6o's and stand 

 on stage in warm house. They will soon be established and 

 making a free growth. 



As with other plants, so it is necessary with Fuchsias to avoid 

 overcrowding. If they are for selling to the trade they will 

 now have reached a saleable stage and should be got rid of as 

 soon as possible to make room for their successors ; but if they 

 are for market work they must never be allowed to stand still. 

 There should be no great need to pinch them back to make them 

 bushy, because the potting on from one size to another generally 

 acts as a natural check to top growth and answers the same 

 purpose. Indeed, the natural bias of the plant is towards the 

 pyramidal, and those large one-year specimens seen in the 

 autumn are built up by the frequent potting from one size to 



