364 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



or bamboo cane, for the support of the taller plants. The main stem 

 should be tied fairly tightly to the stake, and the branching growths 

 lightly looped to it also. Do not disbud the plants except in the case 

 of the more crowded sorts, and then only partially, or the flowers will 

 expand quite out of character. The early-flowering varieties succeed well 

 in pots, those eight inches in diameter, in almost every instance, answer 

 ing their requirements. 



Housing the Plants. With regard to the ordinary mid-season 

 or November-flowering plants, they must be placed under glass towards 

 the end of September or the first week in October. The work entirely 

 depends upon the condition of the plants and the kind of weather at 

 this period. Plants should be housed in September as soon as any of 

 the buds begin to show colour, otherwise the heavy dews will result in 

 " damping," in which case the buds often become worthless. About the 

 third week in September sharp frosts often occur, and it is wise to place 

 as many plants as possible under glass without delay, as the grower 

 must run no risks at this time. When the weather remains genial and 

 open, proceed with the housing of the plants leisurely, making a careful 

 arrangement to obtain a good effect. Thoroughly cleanse the glass, 

 limewash the walls, and make the roof waterproof. Drip must be pre- 

 vented at all costs. On no account crowd the plants, as this is a fruitful 

 source of failure. 



Treatment of Plants under Glass. When once the plants are 

 housed in the autumn, and their arrangement determined so as to obtain 

 the best effect, give abundant ventilation. To keep the plants healthy, 

 doors and ventilators should be kept wide open when the weather is 

 favourable. When they are not crowded, and air is permitted to circulate 

 freely in the house, the leaves are less apt to fall. It is well to water 

 in the early morning, so that superfluous moisture is dried up before 

 the evening, and give liquid manure until the flowers are two-thirds 

 expanded, after which gradually cease supplying stimulants until only 

 clear water is applied. Dead leaves should be picked off, and the soil 

 in the pots kept free from weeds. The trapping of earwigs should also 

 be continued, and caterpillars watched for after dark, a good lantern 

 being invaluable for this purpose ; keep hot-water pipes well warmed 

 on frosty nights and days. Also, when the weather is damp and 

 foggy, maintain a temperature of about 50 degrees ; this will prevent 

 damping, and assist the buds to open. Sheets of blotting paper, fixed 

 about six inches above fine blooms during the night, or in foggy weather, 

 will prevent loss through damping. This is particularly advantageous 

 in low-lying districts. 



Thirty Japanese Varieties. The following are varieties of recent 

 introduction, of high merit and reliable, such that amateurs must possess 

 if they wish to succeed in the exhibition room. They are, moreover, 

 mostly of dwarf habit and easy to grow : His Majesty, rich crimson; 

 King George, mulberry red ; G. J. Bier, pure white ; Bob Pulling, a 

 rich yellow ; Duchess of Westminster, rosy mauve ; Japan, rich, clear 

 yellow; Miss A. E. Roope, golden yellow; Gertrude Peers, chestnut 



