164 THE FLOWER GARDEN COMPANION. 



the earth to the cuttings ; after which, they may be gently 

 watered, and the pots plunged into the ground to the rim, in 

 a shady situation, under a wall or fence. They will require 

 to be watered when the soil appears dry. In four weeks, 

 if carefully attended to, they will be rooted, and fit for pot- 

 ting off. 



Potting the young plants. When the cuttings are well 

 rooted, they must be potted singly, into small pots, three 

 inches deep, and the same in diameter. The manner of per- 

 forming this work, is to put two or three small pieces of 

 broken pots at the bottom, and on them a small portion of 

 rotten leaves, and fill up with the same soil, as before re- 

 commended for the cuttings. When they are well rooted, 

 they may be taken into the green-house. 



The principal object in growing the Geranium, being to 

 have a strong dwarf plant for flowering, care should be taken 

 not to over-water it, nor keep it too warm. It should be al- 

 ways kept moderately dry about the roots, and in small pots 

 during the winter season. When the plant is grown four 

 inches high, the heart is to be pinched out, in order to make 

 it form a bushy head. 



About the beginning of February, Geraniums may be 

 shifted into the pots they are intended to flower in ; for this 

 purpose, the soil should be similar to that recommended 

 above, with this exception, that more rotten leaf mould, or 

 manure, be added, with a portion of bone dust, at the bottom 

 of the pot, which causes the plants to flower finer. They 

 require a moderate portion of air to be given them, and more 

 water, as the weather grows warm. 



Remarks. The principal thing to be considered in grow- 

 ing the Geranium to perfection, is to keep the plants in a 

 dwarf, bushy state during winter, and not excite their growth 

 by too much water or heat. They should be kept moderately 

 dry, and as the sun increases, the plants should be encouraged 

 to grow, by repotting them in larger pots of rich compost, and 

 giving additional waterings. 



