142 How TO Grow Cut Flowers. 



pots, and in shallow benches. The first of these meth- 

 ods was the only way until within a few years, and Gen- 

 eral Jacquimenot about the only variety, and there are 

 many fine producing beds of this kind in existence yet. 

 Before planting, the ground should be thoroughly and 

 deeply trenched, tile drainage provided where inclined 

 to be wet, rich soil filled in and planted with budded 

 or grafted stock, as these unquestionably give larger 

 blooms. After blooming they will make their growth 

 for the following season's work, and after this time water 

 should be withheld in order to have the wood ripen 

 early, in some cases scarcely any water being used save 

 that applied to the foliage during the period of growth. 

 Plenty of air should be given, but the sash should be 

 so arranged as to exclude all rain. After two or three 

 severe frosts in the fall, to which they should be ex- 

 posed, prune them back to strong eyes, clean the house 

 of leaves, give a mulch of cow manure two inches deep 

 and wash this into the soil by a good watering. Bend 

 over and tie all canes so as to fill the space evenly, and 

 for the first week carry a low temperature. As the buds 

 swell and breaks commence, the temperature can be 

 gradually raised, but should not be above fifty until the; 

 buds commence to set, which will be in from four to six 

 weeks. During this time, or while the buds are form- 

 ing, water must be used with great care, but syringing 

 on bright days should be well attended to. After the 

 buds are formed, both water and feed may be supplied 



