THE GARDEN AT HOME 



a frame or out of doors, but until June they are kept in 

 the greenhouse. " Stopping " the growths, as in the 

 case of Bouvardia, is necessary to ensure well branched 

 plants, and all flower buds that show before September 

 should be taken off. In September the plants are taken 

 into the greenhouse, and will soon begin to bloom. The 

 cuttings form roots without difficulty in March in a slightly 

 heated frame or greenhouse, if inserted in firm, sandy 

 soil and given little water ; a close, moist atmosphere is 

 altogether inimical. When rooted they are potted singly 

 in small flower pots, 2| inches wide. The final potting 

 may be in 5-inch or 6-inch pots. The soil should then 

 consist of turfy loam, with which sand is freely and bone- 

 meal sparingly mixed. Until the plants are put in the 

 pots in which they bloom, no fertiliser is mixed with the 

 soil used for potting. Zonal Geraniums need careful 

 watering at all times, and especially until they are well 

 rooted. When the plants have finished flowering less 

 water is given. In spring they are cut back, and fresh 

 shoots suitable for cuttings will form. A few handsome 

 sorts are (with single blossoms) The Sirdar, scarlet ; 

 Lady Roscoe, rich pink ; The Mikado, cerise ; Hall 

 Caine, cherry red ; Snowstorm, white ; Lord Curzon, 

 magenta; Mrs. Brown Potter, bright pink. Varieties 

 with double blooms are F. V. Raspail, scarlet ; General de 

 Wet, light cerise ; Double Jacoby, crimson ; Hermione, 

 white ; and Olive Schreiner, white with red edge. 



Winter flowering Begonias are invaluable plants 



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