ACHIMENES. 261 



be quite full of soil) with a compost of loam, well decom- 

 posed cow-dung, and silver-sand. 



In tying the plants, care should be taken to so place the 

 stakes, and tie the plants, that the whole pan may be a 

 symmetrical mass of green. 



The plants will bloom by the middle of June ; when they 

 may be removed to the conservatory, and shaded, that the 

 flowers may last longer. As soon as the bloom opens, all 

 syringing should be stopped. 



Plants potted a month later will succeed these in bloom ; 

 and, by a succession of pottings, the stage may be filled 

 with achimenes until wanted for winter-plants. 



If the air of the house where they are grown is kept 

 moist, there will be no danger from red spider or thrips ; 

 and a gentle fumigation will destroy green aphis, if they 

 attack the plants. 



After blooming, the plants should still be exposed to the 

 light, but should have less water ; and, when the leaves turn 

 yellow, the stalks may be cut off, and the pans placed in 

 a dry place where the temperature is about 45 : if upon a 

 damp floor, all the better, as thus the bulbs keep plump. 

 It is a bad practice to dry them too much, or to take them 

 out of the soil and put them away in paper-bags. 



