360 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



delightful decorative plants for the conservatory. This is also a useful 

 size to select for plants grown to give cut flowers. Crock with care, 

 covering the crock with a handful of half-inch bones or crushed oyster 

 shells, this layer in turn being covered with pieces of turfy loam as before. 

 Place a good layer of soil over the turfy loam just referred to, making 

 it firm ; and with regard to other details pot with increased firmness. 

 The compost should be worked well down the sides of the pots, taking 

 care not to damage the roots of the plants, and, as before, keep the 

 surface of the ball of earth being repotted well below the rim of the pot, 

 at least one and a half inches, to facilitate watering. Begin first with 

 the stronger growing and well-rooted plants, and as the operation 

 generally takes some time, the latest batch will succeed in proper order. 

 Stand the plants in groups of about twenty each, and thus keep them 

 cool at the roots. If the plants are not staked by this time, delay no longer. 

 Either insert, temporarily, small hazel stakes about two feet in length, or 

 secure a bundle or two of bamboo canes, which vary in length from 

 about three feet upwards to suit the height of almost any plant. They 

 are neat, lasting, and seem specially adapted for the purpose. Water as 

 advised earlier, and syringe the foliage during hot weather. 



Summer Quarters. An open position is advisable, as full ex- 

 posure to the sun and free circulation of air between the plants promote 

 sturdy growth. The best place is one with a south and western aspect, 

 where shelter from the south-westerly and other gales can be provided. 

 Stand the plants in rows running north and south and upon boards, 

 slates, or tiles to keep out worms. Stout galvanised wire should be 

 strained between upright stakes at both ends of the rows, and supported 

 by others about ten feet apart. Two rows of wire, one at three feet and 

 another at five feet above the garden level, will answer well ; securely 

 tie the stakes in the pots to these cross wires, using tarred twine or thin 

 wire. This done well, rough winds will inflict no damage. Those who 

 cannot devote a portion of their garden to this purpose should use the 

 sides of the gravel paths. 



Summer Treatment Chrysanthemums require unremitting atten- 

 tion. Watering is of the utmost importance. Water should only be 

 given when the plants are dry at the roots, not dust dry, as this means a 

 serious check. The way to ascertain whether water is needful or other- 

 wise is to rap the pot with the knuckles, or anything to answer the same 

 purpose. When a distinct ring is the result, a full supply of water is 

 required, but the reverse is the case when the sound is dull. When 

 watering always give a copious supply to dry plants, and if any are very 

 dry apply water a second time. As the plants are so much exposed to 

 air and sun, the soil dries quickly ; when they are well rooted, it is neces- 

 sary on hot days to examine them three or four times. As the shoots 

 progress carefully loop them to the stakes. It is a mistake to tie tightly, 

 as the growths are brittle and break off quite easily. A loop-like tie 

 gives sufficient space for the shoot. Tie where the stem is hardening. 

 Earwigs must be trapped as the plants develop, otherwise they eat out 

 the points of the shoots, and the way to catch them is to put thumb pots 



