CHAPTER IV. 



On the Culture of the Geranium, China Rose, and Verbena. 



ART. 1 . The Geranium, or Pelargonium. 



THIS beautiful tribe of plants are mostly natives of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and their elegance, when in a flowering 

 state, particularly recommends them to every lover of flow- 

 ers ; indeed, no green-house is perfect without a good collec- 

 tion of them. 



The general management of the Geranium is something 

 different from the Camellia, although they will both thrive 

 well in the same house, and with the same heat; but their 

 location should be different, as they require to be situated so 

 as to obtain the influence of the sun and air, and as near the 

 glass as possible. If this is not done, the wood will grow 

 weak and succulent, and, consequently, will seldom flower 

 strong and healthy. 



Propagation, or increase. The Geranium is increased 

 by cuttings, in the months of August and September, or at 

 any time when the young wood is well ripened; or, by its 

 roots being cut into joints and inserted in a pot of compost, 

 and treated the same as cuttings. 



The compost best adapted for this purpose, is one-third 

 sandy loam, one-third peat, with a little rotten leaf mould, and 

 some river sand. 



When the compost is prepared, begin to propagate by cut- 

 ting the ends of the cuttings to a joint, transversely, and in a 

 clean manner ; then take the pot, which should be six inches 

 deep, and six wide at the top, and fill it two inches from the 

 bottom with broken pots, beat fine with a hammer; after 

 which, the remainder should be filled up to the rim with the 

 soil, into which the cuttings may be inserted half way, in a 

 neat manner; the pots are then to be shaken gently, to close 

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