HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 263 



foliage up to the time when they ought to be preparing the flower-buds. 

 The last stopping of the June plants should take place in March, keeping 

 the plants at all times well thinned and regulated, with ample room for the 

 foliage to develope itself. The May plants will by this time, be fast pushing 

 their buds, and require watering once or twice a week, with weak manure 

 water as well as regulating their branches to form a nice even surface at 

 the top. We find that occasional syringing over the foliage materially as- 

 sists them, especially towards the spring, although others object to it. Too 

 much air cannot be given, or too little fire used for the Pelargonium, pro- 

 vided the house does not get below h 40°, and studiously avoiding all cold 

 currents of air. 



As a general rule, the Pelargonium during the early months are better 

 to flag occasionally for water than to be over watered, to be cool rather 

 than warm, and under than over-potted, being much easier to apply a 

 stimulant to an under-potted plant, than to recover a plant once sodden or 

 over potted. 



As regards sticking, use as few as possible, but use sticks in preference 

 to having the heads of flowers lopping this side and that, for it is notorious, 

 that the growing of plants in pots is entirely artificial, and as such, neat- 

 ness should be the point aimed at, and if sticks are used, as much concealed 

 as possible. 



For soil, use turf from a loamy pasture, the thinner cut the better. It is 

 improved by laying in a compost heap, one or two years before using, when 

 it may have had a third or fourth of its bulk of the dropping of a stable 

 mixed with it. But as this is often out of reach and a substitute has to 

 be prepared, take the best turfy loam to be got and well incorporate it with 

 a fourth of decayed stable or cow dung, breaking the lumps with the hands or 

 trowel, sifting only for the cuttings ; white sand should be added according 

 to the texture of the loam. 



About a sixth of the pot should in all cases, be occupied by drainage 

 covering it with some of the rougher portions of turf to keep it free. 



September 4, 1854. Edgar Sanders. 



