Gardening in California 



soil not too heavy, a yellow or brown loam being best suited for 

 growing them. 



Propagation is effected by seeds, by cuttings or by layers; by 

 seeds, in early Spring, sown in pots or pans in light rich soil 

 composed of half sand and half leaf-mold, the seeds being 

 covered lightly with the soil. Place in a mild bottom heat, and, 

 when the seedlings are about one inch in height, prick them off 

 about two inches apart in boxes; then return them to the same 

 temperature (a mild hotbed) and shade them during hot sunshine 

 for a few days or until the young seedlings have taken root in the 

 new soil ; afterwards remove them to a cold frame and gradually 

 expose them to the open air. Plant them, about the middle of 

 April, where they are to flower, in a sunny situation protected 

 from cold winds, in soil which is fresh, not having been used for 

 at least a year before in growing flowers of any sort. 



In propagating by cuttings, use only wood which is 

 short-jointed and carries strong healthy leaves. Dibble them 

 about one inch apart in boxes filled with sandy leaf-mold, and 

 place them, in March, in cold frames or in a shaded, sheltered 

 spot out of doors. They may also be put in, in a similar situa- 

 tion, in September with equally good results. As soon as they 

 are rooted, transplant them three inches apart either into boxes or 

 into a sheltered border until ready for their permanent quarters. 



Where only a few growths of any desirable variety can be 

 had, propagation by layering is perhaps the surest of all 

 methods. Layering is effected by simply bending one of the 

 branches or shoots into the soil (after, with a sharp knife, having 

 cut a slit into the shoot on the underside, about half through the 

 stem) and, with a hooked peg, pegging it into the ground about 

 one-half inch below the surface. Then, to a light stake, tie the 

 point of the shoot in an upright position, which will open the 

 cut or slit, care being taken not to sever entirely the point of the 

 shoot from the main stem. Next cover the cut part with light 

 sandy soil and give a good watering. Keep the soil moderately 



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