i6o 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



until the cuttings are rooted, and beginning to grow. Every 

 care should be taken to see that the plants have sufficient water. 



As soon as it is seen that the cuttings have taken root, air 

 should be gradually admitted on all favourable occasions in order 

 to keep the plants sturdy and strong. About the first week in 

 April the plants may be shifted into larger pots (say large "sixties"). 

 By the middle of May these pots will be full of roots, and the 

 plants may be either transferred to the pots in which they are 

 intended to flower, or they may be put out in a sunny place, 

 where the soil has been deeply dug and well manured during 

 the past winter. ' If potted, a compost of three parts fibrous 

 loam and one part spent horse-droppings mixed together, with 

 a little bone-meal added, will prove excellent. 



Naturally, some varieties are much taller than others, and in 

 the list appended the average height of each is mentioned, indicating 

 which sorts are best for back and front rows respectively. A 

 fine effect may be produced by a judicious blending of colours ; 

 or the beds in large gardens may be planted with one variety 

 only, thus giving a mass of one colour, as is done in many of 

 the large public parks. The plants should be supported by neat 

 stakes early, otherwise many will be broken by the wind, and 

 thus cause unsightly blanks in the beds. If the soil is rich 

 and deep, and the plants are strong and healthy, 2^ft. or 3ft. 

 between each will be a suitable distance : if the soil is poor or 

 shallow, I ft. less space should be given. On all soils, however, 

 it is advisable to make fresh plantations each year. 



The following varieties have proved most meritorious in a large 

 collection : 



Japanese, or Large-Flowered. — Alfred Droz, soft 3-ellow : 

 borne in profusion : height 2ft. Albert Chausson, orange-red : 

 very fine in pots or beds : height 2^ft. Baronne G. C. de 

 Brailles; pale pink; very large and fine; height 3ft. Coral Queen, 

 lovely coral : a charming variety ; height 3ft. Crimson Queen, 

 deep crimson ; a great favourite, and of fine habit ; height 2ft. 

 Comtesse Toucher de Cariel, orange-yellow ; excellent and free ; 

 height 2ft. De la Bouere, amaranth; large and fine; height 2ft. 

 Dorcas, white ; bushy habit and free-flowering ; height 2ft. Edie 

 Wright, pale pink, passing to white with age; excellent m every 

 respect ; height 2ft. Edith Syratt, soft pink ; wonderfully free and 

 dwarf; height i^ft. Gaspard Boucharlat, a lovely orange colour, 

 produced in profusion ; height 2ft. General Hawkes, crimson- 

 amaranth ; very free ; height 2ft. George Wermig, rich soft 



