Cultivation of TrojpcBolums. 501 



require to be planted at once into the pots in which they are 

 to flower ; it being necessary, from their habit of growth, that 

 the trellis on which they are to be trained, should be adjust- 

 ed at once, and it is rather hazardous to attempt shifting 

 them into larger pots when half grown. 



' If the plants have flowered early in the season, and the 

 tubers thus brought early into a state of rest, they will, in 

 all probability, commence growing during the autumn 

 months. When this is the case, they should be potted at 

 once, as the energies of the plant are then at work, and if 

 checked, the growth would be materially injured. At what- 

 ever period they commence growing they should be planted. 

 An eight-inch pot will not be too large for a tuber two inches 

 in diameter. When placed in the pot the upper surface of 

 the tuber should be elevijted a little above the soil. They 

 should be kept in a cool, airy situation, out of doors, if the 

 weather permits, or on the front shelf of the greenhouse, 

 and water sparingly applied for a time. This is, indeed, the 

 only critical period in their growth. If the soil is kept con- 

 stantly wet after they are newly planted, they will frequently 

 grow and attain considerable size upon the sap in the tuber, 

 without forming any new roots. When this happens they 

 never complete their growth. On the other hand, if they 

 are kept rather dry than otherwise at this time, it will induce 

 an emission of roots from the tuber in search of nourishment. 



When fairly started into growth the top may be pinched 

 from the strongest shoots. This will insure a profusion of 

 laterals, which should be trained so as to fill the lower part 

 of the trellis well at first ; if in good health, there will be 

 little fear of the top getting well clad before they commence 

 flowering ; and if once allowed to get into an entangled 

 mass, there is no possibility of arranging them without 

 greatly destroying their beauty. 



They are particularly subject to be infested Avith aphis ; 

 but the destruction of that pest is simple, and the means 

 within the reach of every one. I believe, however, that 

 under proper treatment, plants will seldom be troubled with 

 any kind of vermin, but when they are neglected, and 



