146 How TO Grow Cut Flowers. 



been getting water every day, use it only every other 

 day, then every third day, but watch carefully that the 

 wood does not shrivel, or the leaves burn. When water 

 is given, do not be afraid of supplying it liberally, for 

 if the plants are kept fresh by syringing, or damping 

 the top soil only, the surface roots will be kept alive, 

 while all below will be dead. 



"Two months will be required in which to thoroughly 

 harden the wood. After this is accomplished, prune out 

 all soft and weak wood, leaving from two to four canes, 

 according to the strength of the plant, the chances being 

 that the strongest of these will break from two eyes, and 

 inature buds from each. These canes should be cut 

 back to within from six to twelve inches of the bed, 

 according to the strength of the plant. The house 

 should be cleaned of dead leaves, trimmings and ac- 

 cumulations of any kind, by a thorough sweeping, after 

 which give two or three light waterings to soften the 

 soil. When this has been done, give a top dressing of 

 two inches of strong, fresh cow manure, and water un- 

 til the bed is well soaked. 



" If this is the first house to be brought to bloom, it 

 will now be the last of September or the first of October, 

 so give all the ventilation possible as they will soon start 

 into growth. Syringe every fine day, but be careful 

 about water, as. the heavy top dressing will keep them 

 from drying out very fast, and root action has only just 

 commenced. Guard against green fly and mildew, as 

 the last is apt to appear Avith the advent of cool nights. 



