Cultivation of the Scarlet Pelargonium. 505 



size and strength as possible all over the plant, in order that 

 they may all flower at the same period, Avhich they will do 

 or nearly so, provided too many be not left on the plants ; 

 and, as large trusses of flowers are more attractive than small 

 ones, though there may be double the number of the latter, 

 it is necessary to encourage the strongest and healthiest 

 shoots only. I should say that for a plant in a 6-inch pot 

 two shoots would be sufficient to leave ; for one in an S-inch 

 pot, three or four ; and for one in a 11-inch pot, from four to 

 six. The grand point being, as before stated, to get all the 

 shoots left on the plants to bloom at the same time : the 

 trusses will keep in perfection for a month or six weeks. A 

 strong one-year old plant, with a single stem, flowered hy- 

 drangia- fash ion, presents a superb appearance. 



In staging the plants for the winter they should be placed 

 as near the glass as possible, and no more water should be 

 given them than will merely keep them from flagging. 



About the beginning of February they should be intro- 

 duced to the forcing-house, and placed where they can re- 

 ceive the greatest amount of sun. They will now require 

 an increased supply of water j and when they shall have 

 commenced growing vigorously, and while throwing up their 

 flower trusses, they like a copious supply, in bright dry 

 weather sometimes twice a-day, gently syringing the foliage 

 and flower-trusses with a fine-rosed syringe, morning and 

 evening. Liquid manure made from sheep's droppings, ap- 

 plied two or three times a-week, will add much to the 

 strength of the truss of bloom and to the beauty of the 

 foliage, but this should not be applied till the flower-trusses 

 have made their appearance. As soon as these can be plain- 

 ly distinguished from the points of the shoots, the latter 

 must be carefully nipped off" immediately before them, the 

 flower-stalk will then take the lead and grow most vigorous- 

 ly. A stake will be required for each shoot, but it should 

 not show above the foliage ; the flower-stalk will be suffi- 

 ciently strong to support the truss. Soon after the shoots 

 are stopped they will send out laterals ; these should be 

 picked out with the point of a knife on their first appear- 



VOL. XVI. NO. XI. 64 



