80 GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. [MAY. 



increased, by allowing the seed-pods to ripen 

 and drop the seeds on the ground, than if they 

 were gathered and sowed with the greatest 

 care ; when you find this the case, it is well, in 

 the autumn, when the seed is nearly ripe, to 

 rake the ground a little round the plant, and not 

 to permit it to be disturbed till the seeds have 

 come up. I believe the reason for these plants 

 increasing spontaneously is, that the seed re- 

 quires to be sown as soon as it is ripe. 



I advise that you plant out the green-house 

 plants which I have sent, in your warmest bor- 

 der, where they will flower far better than in 

 pots : you must take cuttings from them, when- 

 ever you see any fit, which will be when the 

 shoot has attained its full size. These cuttings 

 must be kept in a green-house, or cold frame, 

 during the winter. You will find it better, ateo, 

 to take cuttings of those geraniums and green- 



