GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 145 



From January on, they start active growth and must be given 

 suitable conditions by damping down the paths and benches several 

 times a day. In potting use a compost consisting of four parts 

 loam, one part leafmold, one part decayed manure and a little sand. 

 In Autumn and early Winter, when they are in their inactive stage, 

 decrease the amount of moisture, but give plenty of sunlight. 



Propagation. In selecting stock plants take those which show 

 lateral growths at or near the base of the plant. Large lateral 

 growths do not make good specimens, but they should be rooted 

 for subsequent use as stock plants. In rooting it will be found a good 

 method to put each piece into a pot of sand and plunge in a propa- 

 gating bed having a brisk bottom heat. The large, succulent and 

 easily broken roots which the cuttings make, being confined within 

 the pots, will be nicely preserved by shaking out the sand and re- 

 placing it with soil, or by being shifted into larger pots, as the cut- 

 tings will keep many weeks in the sand after roots are made without 

 injury. Stock plants, which get too large and have an abundance 

 of grassy side shoots, will be encouraged to develop those if the 

 young leaves of the main growth be torn out. Young plants, 

 plunged out of doors after the end of May, should be examined from 

 time to time, as the roots are apt to get outside the pots; larger sized 

 pots should then be given and the plants replunged. 



PARIS DAISIES (Chrysanthemum frutescens). For Win- 

 ter blooming the cuttings should be put in during late Spring. By 

 the end of July they should get their last potting for the Summer, 

 be pinched back and plunged so as to make large heads for Winter- 

 flowering. These Daisies can be made to pay during the dull 

 months from the number of flowers which can be cut from them. 

 They are not so common as they might be, and Daisies in Winter 

 are very desirable flowers with some people. Large plants are useful 

 about Easter time. Left over plants in Spring can be planted out 

 to furnish cuttings for Fall propagation, to give medium sized 

 plants in flower for early Spring sales. 



PAULLINIA. P. thalictrifolia is an elegant plant for clothing 

 the tops of unsightly tubs in which Palms and other plants are grow- 

 ing, and is also useful for large vases. It stands the sun well. The 

 foliage somewhat resembles the leaves of Adiantums. 



Culture. Pinch the tops. to make young plants branch out. 



Propagation. Cuttings root best in September in the warm 

 propagating bed. 

 PELARGONIUM (See page 288.) 



