72 



FAMILIAR GARDEN' FLOWERS. 



ment comprises jilentifiil wateriiiij;' in proportion to growth 

 and temperature, free ventilation, exposure to the fullest 

 (layli<^lit (3'et with a little shade i'rom the fiercest t;-lare of 

 the sun), and, after flowering', a moderate j^runin^;', and, 

 some three weeks afterwards, re-potting' for the next year's 

 growth. On the subject of training it is not necessary to 

 speak, as that, to use the language of the day, is a " matter 

 of taste." At the Pelargonium Exhibition of 188^ a place 

 of high honour Avas given to a group of ])lants that had 

 never been ti'ained in any way whatever; and the judges, 

 being men of true taste, though jiractitioners of cimventional 

 training, niade note of the peculiar beauty of plants well 

 grown in their " natural form ! " 



It may be proper to advise the inexperienced amateur 

 that frequent or even occasional wetting of the leaves 

 of pelargoniums is to be deprecated as iuiuri(nis. As a 

 rule, rough and hairy leaves should never l;ie wetted, Imt 

 smooth leaves are often much benefited by the process. 



