BENCH CULTIVATION 85 
provision of compost similar to that recommended for pot 
plants, to the depth of 5 inches, completes the preparation 
of the benches. It is a matter of individual convenience 
whether the plants are planted out from pots in May, 
and attended to during the summer months in the house, 
or are planted in the early autumn, having been grown 
out-of-doors. If grown on the benches all the summer— 
and many growers are now practising this treatment—the 
house must be constantly ventilated, and the plants must be 
given copious supplies of water with frequent applications 
of liquid and artificial manures, the aim being to promote 
a free growth and large, stocky plants by the autumn. If 
the plants, on the contrary, have been planted out in the 
open, equal care and attention should be afforded them, 
and the greatest care taken in lifting and planting them in 
their winter quarters as early in August as possible. Lift 
them with a good ball of soil, and plant them firmly in the 
benches prepared for them. Should the weather be hot 
and dry, syringe them lightly three or four times a day, 
and shade them from sunshine until established, It is 
important to promote a strong healthy root action after 
planting, as a severe check to growth at this stage is most 
detrimental. With care in lifting and planting, the plants 
will soon recover from the check of removal and start into 
growth. In the same month (August), benches may be 
planted up with plants from 5 and 6 inch pots, care being 
taken to have the balls of soil well soaked with water 
previously ; also the sides of same slightly pricked around, 
to disentangle the roots from the circular position in which 
they have been growing. Plant them at distances of one 
foot apart each way, taking care not to bury the stem deeper 
