HYDRANGEAS 55 



a larger, so that often there has been no need to pinch back a 

 single shoot. 



But the growing of specimens is a side issue and not at all 

 in our way. We are out to deal with the market plant in bulk, 

 viz., those in 48*8 and in full bloom. Directly the young plants 

 are really established in the 6o's they should be removed to 48's 

 and grown in a light, airy position. If they fail to break into 

 growth from the lower eyes, then they must be " stopped " 

 and made to do so. Give them a good rich compost consisting 

 of two parts chopped turfy loam, one part chopped cow manure 

 well rotted, one part sifted leaf soil, and a small portion of 

 silver sand. Crock the pots well, pot them firmly, and do not 

 water copiously until growth restarts. Their after-treatment 

 is along very simple lines space, light, air, warmth, and not 

 too much moisture. 



A portion of these may need the support of a thin stick, 

 either to hold the plant erect or to which the side shoots, heavy 

 with flowers, may be looped, or for both purposes. 



HYDRANGEAS 



The buyer of plants who wants something to look at can get 

 all he needs from the Hydrangea. The most exacting buyer 

 who ever entered the market will, we think, admit that when 

 he purchases one of the many offered for sale at Covent Garden 

 he has got plenty for his money. We see them in thumb pots 

 like caricatures, with tiny bodies and immense heads ; we 

 see them in 6o's with heads of bloom a foot through ; 

 we see them in 48*8 with two monster heads, and in 24*5 like to 

 mountains of pink and of blue. How are they grown ? We 

 reply, " Surprisingly easily." The merits are those of the plant 

 rather than of the grower. Cuttings are taken from large 

 permanently planted stools grown for the purpose. The end 

 of August is the best time, and the cuttings are the top growths 

 which in many cases have already formed a crown which contains 

 the rudiments of the following season's flower. They are made 

 from 2 to 3 inches long and inserted singly and firmly in small 

 pots. Very often they are taken to market in the same pots 

 they occupied as cuttings. 



