FLOEISTS' FLOWERS. 



33a 



successful germination of the seeds. As soon as the 

 plants are large enough to handle they should be 

 l^laced singly in very small pots, and shifted on into 

 larger pots as required, so as to encourage growth 

 w ithout a check ; and it is a good practice to keep the 



the effect of throwing them into flower. When the 

 combs show themselves, the plants — selecting the 

 best-formed combs — should be potted into good- 

 sized pots, using a compost made up of rich sandy 

 loam and good manure in equal parts. It is well not 



The Cinekaria. 



plants in the hot-bed, or a fresh one, until the combs 

 are formed. Many growers of Cockscombs spoil 

 their plants at this stage by keeping thorn some 

 distance from the glass in a brisk heat, where they 

 become drawn, growing long and lanky, and really 

 quite spoiled for decorative purposes. Some growers 

 recommend that the young plants should be kept 

 somewhat starved in respect of water, as it will have 



to exceed pots eight inches in diameter, and when 

 the i^lants are pot-bound— that is, filled with roots— 

 the combs soon develop theinsclvts. The plants 

 should be kept near thv glass, but not allowing- 

 their tops to touch it, and they need to be treated to 

 liberal supplies of water. 



The routine of growing Cockscombs varies with the 

 objects aimed at. Tall Cockscombs produce very fine 



