162 Culture of Pelargoniums. 



every mild day, until it is necessary, on account of frost, to 

 place them in the green-house ; after which, regular atten- 

 tion is given as to watering, picking off decaying leaves, 

 smoking with tobacco when needful to destroy aphides, and 

 admitting as much air as possible every mild day. 



The plants are now of short stunted growth, and in March 

 some early sorts will show flower-buds. Towards the latter 

 end of the month some rich compost is prepared as follows ; 

 viz. take equal parts of vegetable mould, good loam, and well 

 rotted cow dung, at least a year old, and mix the whole well 

 too-ether, but do not sift it, and put it under cover a few days 

 to dry. The plants are then brought into the potting shed, 

 and are shifted into pots 6 in. in diameter. While they are 

 out, the green-house is well cleaned, white-washed, &c. The 

 plants are then arranged as widely as possible ; a little extra- 

 heat is given, with abundance of water, and air, as the season 

 advances. 



The progress they now make is quite surprising ; and fine, 

 stiff, bushy plants, covered in profusion with large bunches 

 of finely coloured flowers, richly reward the cultivator with all 

 their beauties, for his care and attention. 



When the bloom, or most of it, is over, they are turned 

 out of their pots, and planted in the flower-garden or shrub- 

 bery, in clumps or irregular masses, where they ornament the 

 scene, during the summer and autumnal months, until the 

 frost kills them. 



The essentials in this mode of treatment are, — striking 

 cuttings in July every year, which prevents the plants getting 

 too large ; potting, when struck, in small pots and poor soil ; 

 shifting in spring into large pots and very rich compost ; and 

 planting out or throwing away in summer. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Horsforth Hall, Nov. 1. 1831. Thos. Appleby. 



Art. XVI. On the Culture of Pelargoniums. By Robert Elliot, 

 Gardener to William Hartley, Esq., Rose Hill, near White- 

 haven. 



Sir, 

 The pelargonium is one of the greatest ornaments of the 

 flower-garden ; and when the length of time it continues in 

 flower is considered, the endless variety now cultivated, and 

 the many new and beautiful kinds annually raised from seed ; 

 it becomes a subject well worth enquiry, how this plant may 



