374 How to grow Specimen Pelargoniums. 



Our first drawing (fig. 24,) represents a plant as it should 

 appear in October, just after the cuttings have been potted. 

 The top is then stopped so as to make the side shoots break 

 freely. Three only are allowed to remain ; they are treated 

 like the older plants till early in spring, when the side shoots 

 are topped and tied down to small pegs just at the edge of the 

 pot. In this way they go on till the plants have done flower- 

 ing, when they are again pruned, and this time somewhat 

 differently, as represented in the next engraving, (fig. 25.) 

 They are not cut down only to last year's wood, thinning 

 out all shoots that are crowded, and 

 selecting those to remain which will 

 give a symmetrical outline to the plant. 

 When these shoots begin to break they 

 should be looked over, and any super- 

 fluous eyes rubbed off". At the shift 

 which usually is made in August or 

 September, if the branches appear too 

 high, the plant may be potted an inch 

 Fig^^^^^mpruned o^ two lowcr, and the sofl filled up 

 the second year. around the old stcm. In this way 



the lower tier of branches is brought almost to the edge of 

 the pot. 



When the plants are sufficiently advanced in February 

 they should again be stopped by pinching out the ends of 

 the new growth. Now put the plant in order ; tie out the 

 branches regularly and symmetrically, taking out any super- 

 fluous shoots. All will go on right after this, and the plant 

 will make a splendid show this year, and prove a miniature 

 copy of what it will be another season. 



We have now arrived at the third year, when the plant 

 should be pruned as in the last engraving, (fig. 26. j Rather 

 more care will be required in doing this, so as to preserve 

 just the right number of shoots, and in the right places. 

 The usual routine of potting, stopping, tieing down the 

 branches, &c., must be done, and the spring will bring with 

 it an ample reward for all the patience, industry and toil 



