106 MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITION PLANTS. 



are essential to free growth. When they are nearly full 

 grown and the flowers appearing, they should be set in an 

 airy place near the glass in the greenhouse, and supplied 

 freely with manure- water. The points of merit are : (1.) Size 

 and perfect condition of the plant ; (2.) number and size of the 

 flowers ; and (3.) quality of the flowers, which should be well 

 formed, petals thick, pure, and rich in colour. 



DEUTZIA. 



The most useful of this genus are D. crenata jiure plena and 

 D. gracilis. The latter is a most graceful plant, and the one 

 generally chosen for exhibition. Beginning with a healthy 

 specimen just done flowering, the shoots which have borne the 

 flowers should be well cut back to encourage strong growths 

 from the base. When they have grown about two inches, the 

 plants should be turned out, the roots shortened, and re-potted 

 in sandy loam, leaf-mould, well-rotted manure, and a sprinkling 

 of bone-meal. The heat and moisture in a newly started 

 vinery suits them well while making growth, and when it is 

 finished the plants should be gradually hardened off, after- 

 wards placed outside to ripen, and then stored in a cold frame 

 for the winter. Before starting, the shoots should be regulated 

 and trained into shape to form a free feathery bush, which 

 is the best shape for exhibition, the shoots bending out gi-ace- 

 fully, and so disposed that the flowers may be well seen. They 

 should be started and ti'eated as the Azalea for exhibition. The 

 points of merit are : (1.) Size and health of the plant ; (2.) num- 

 ber and length of sprays; and (3.) size and texture of the 

 flowers. 



DIELYTRA. 



D. spedahilis is a showy hardy herbaceous perennial, well 

 adapted for forcing for exhibition. Large stools should be 

 planted three feet apart in n rich open border, and due atten- 

 tion paid to their proper treatment for two seasons, by care- 

 fully manuring, watering, and staking them, when they will 

 be in the best condition for forcing. A 12-inch pot should be 

 filled with one or more of the stools, using rich loam and well- 



