4 2 



MARKET NURSERY WORK 



all these plants are transferred to the open and are plunged either 

 in the spent hot-beds, or in ashes, where their welfare is still under 

 close observation ; but during the early part of November they are 

 brought back into the house, which is not yet heated, and stand 

 there till January, at which time they are pruned hard back (see 

 Fig. 23). In this pruning, every weak bit of wood is cut out. It 

 would be but a hindrance to the plant if it was left, and we do not 

 mind if only three or four good breaking eyes are left so that they 



FIG. 23. Pot rose heavily pruned at marks 



carry indications of strength and vigour, for that is what we are 

 after. If a pot plant has only three shoots, each one crowned with 

 a good bloom, that is a plant which will sell ; but be it never so 

 bushy, with a few puny flowers, it is not a seller. So you see what 

 we aim at : strength and quality. Even if grown for cut bloom, 

 the same applies, for three good blooms on long, stout stems are 

 worth more than double their number if poor and weak-stemmed. 

 Let us follow these young plants a little further. By the end 

 of April their first flush of bloom is nearly over, and they begin to 

 make tracks toward another crop. But their numbers are pleasantly 



