158 How TO Grow Cut Plowees. 



not to plant too deep, and if done early, the ball should 

 be just below the surface, pressed down carefully, leav- 

 ing a slight depression around the plant. If the season 

 is dry, a light stirring of the soil each day will be of 

 benefit, as will also a slight syringing of the foliage 

 just at night. Topping, as a rule, should cease by the 

 middle of August, but this must be modified by the 

 time bloom is desired, by variety and locality, and is a 

 point for each grower to determine for himself. No 

 frost should ever be allowed to touch them in the fall, 

 though a light frost on acclimated plants in the spring 

 is not harmful. Benches should be well drained, and 

 the soil in them six inches deep. Early out of doors, 

 and early in doors, is the result of my observation, as it 

 gives a strong plant early in the fall for lifting, and one 

 that will soon adapt itself to the new order of growth. 

 Taking one season with another, in all localities north 

 of central Indiana, they should be housed by Septem- 

 ber 10th. If grown and planted as already recom- 

 mended, by the first of September the new breaks will 

 have formed from the last topping, the plant will be 

 strong and in a condition to bear transplanting much 

 better than when the blooming stems are well advanced, 

 as in this condition the check given sometimes blasts 

 the first buds. For this class of plants, and at this 

 season of the year, provided the soil from which they 

 are taken and to which they are to be removed is simi- 

 lar in character, lifting carefully with a ball is far pre- 



