466 



Gardening for Amateurs 



more than 1 foot apart for the dwarf 

 and quite 18 inches for the tall plants. 

 One stake is sufficient for the support 

 of the dwarf varieties, as the side stems 

 can be looped .to it. As fast as side 

 shoots grow pinch them off, retaining only 

 main stems and main leaves. Water care- 

 fully with clear water until the latter part 

 of July, when the roots will be growing 

 round the ball of soil in the pot ; then 

 feeding may be commenced. Clear soot 



water given every third day will suffice for 

 ten days ; then give manure water diluted 

 to the colour of pale brandy. Both soot 

 and manure should be tied up in coarse 

 sacks and immersed in vessels of water for 

 several days prior to use. All chemical or 

 concentrated manures must be given accord- 

 ing to the instructions enclosed with them. 

 Top-dressing. As soon as roots can be 

 seen on the surface top-dressing must be 

 done. Feeding should be continued until 



Taking" the first crown bud early in 

 August by removing all side shoots. 

 Those at c have been nipped off, those 

 at 6 are ready for removal, while a in- 

 dicates shoots that are still too small. 



Size of crown bud a week later, showing 

 its rapid development when side shoots 

 have been taken off. 



By the end of August the bud 

 will have become approxi- 

 mately of this size. 



Terminal buds are surrounded, not by 

 small shoots, but by flower buds : the 

 latter should be removed as shown. 



