374 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



Fuchsia is readily grown from cuttings. Soft green wood should 

 be used for cuttings, and it will root in about three weeks, when the 

 cuttings should be potted. Take care not to have them pot-bound 

 while in growth, but do not overpot when bloom is wanted. Given 

 warmth and good soil, they will make fine plants in three months or 

 less. In well-protected, partially shady places they may be planted 

 out, growing into miniature bushes by fall. 



Plants may be kept on from year to year; and if the branches are 

 well cut back after blooming, abundant new bloom will come. But 

 it is usually best to make new plants each year from cuttings, since 

 young plants commonly bloom most profusely and demand less care. 

 Fuchsias are amongst the best of window subjects. 



Geranium. — What are commonly known as geraniums are, strictly 

 speaking, pelargoniums. (See Pelargonium.) 



The true geraniums are mostly hardy perennials, and therefore 

 should not be confounded with the tender pelargoniums. Geraniums 

 are worthy a place in a border. They may be transplanted early in 

 the spring, setting them 2 ft. apart. Height 10 to 12 in. The 

 common wild cranesbill (Geranium maculatum) improves under cul- 

 tivation, and is an attractive plant when it stands in front of taller 

 foliage. 



Gladioltfs. — Of summer and fall-blooming bulbous plants, gladiolus 

 is probably the most widely popular. The colors range from scarlet 

 and purple, to white, rose, and pure yellow. The plants are of slender, 

 erect habit, growing from 2 to 3 feet high. 



Gladioli dislike a heavy clay soil. A light loam or sandy soil suits 

 them best. No fresh manure should be added to the soil the year in 

 which they are grown. They should have a new place every year, if 

 possible, and always an open sunny situation. 



The oorms may be covered 2 inches deep in heavy soils, and 4 to 6 in 

 light soils. They may stand 8 to 10 inches apart, or half this distance 

 for mass effects. For a succession, they may be planted at short inter- 

 vals, the earliest planting being of smaller corms in the early spring as 

 soon as the soil is dry enough to work; later the larger are to be 

 planted — the last setting being not later than the Fourth of July. 



