130 FAMILIAR GARDEy FLOWERS. 



bedding plants. Tliej^ display their fine qualities best, 

 however, when well grown in the form of pyramids for the 

 conservatory, and a set of the newest varieties so treated 

 wiiuld create a sensation anywhere, save in the inner circle 

 of horticulturists, who are familiar with their splendid 

 caiiabilities. To grow fine specimens is an easy task, but 

 demands continuous attention, for we must have a free 

 growth without coarseness, and an abundant display of 

 flowers. 



The cuttings having beenstruck in the usual way, should 

 be potted into three-inch pots in a rather light compost, con- 

 sisting of e(pial parts of loam, leaf-mould, and sharp sand. 

 A fairl}' warm hoiisi> will be the best place for them at all 

 times except in summer, when they should remain under 

 glass, and have free ventilation. When the pots are filled 

 with the roots, the plants must be moved into the next size 

 of pots, and care must be taken never to repot them until 

 they have filled their pots with roots, and to give them 

 no more pot-room than the}' can occupy in a reasonable 

 space of time. None but an expert, who needs not our 

 counsel, should shift one of these plants from a small 

 pot to a large one, for long ere the large pot is filled with 

 new roots the soil will become sour, and the plant will cease 

 growing. The rule applies generally to plants, but is of 

 special importance in the case of ivy-leaved geraniums. 



By successive shifts the plants will reach to eight or 

 nine-inch pots, and beyond that size it is not advisable to 

 go. When removed from the three-inch to five-inch pots 

 the compost should be somewhat more substantial than 

 was used in the first instance, say mellow loam from rotted 

 turf, well-rotted old hotbed manure, and either peat or leaf- 

 mould equal parts, with the addition of sand sufficient to 



