V 



SECT. XIX. LISTS OF THREES, &C. . 5 4 > 



mull: govern ; and it will not do to bring them t out in v 

 a harfh one, which would pinch up the leaves, and 

 deprive them of their beauty. If put clofe under a 

 Jbuth wall for a week or two at firft, it would be pro-, 

 per ; or an awning of mats might be ufed for nights. 



Shifting geraniums fhould generally take place once 

 a year, from fmaller pots into others one fize bigger : 

 This may be in the firil mild weather in April, or ' May. 

 Loofen, and take off the top mould down to the roots* 

 .(without damaging them} then turn the pot up, and 

 gently lhake it out. If the roots adhere to the fides of 

 the pot, give the edge a tap upon the knee, or fomething 

 elfe, and a little prellure at the hole, with the thumb, or 

 finger, at the fame time, which will help to discharge 

 it. Pare off the matted roots round the fides and bot* 

 •torn, with a jharp knife ; and plant it in a frefti poc, 

 (or the fame again may fometimes do) putting in as 

 much fine light rich mould, or compofr, at the bottonij 

 as will raife the ball of earth, which is about the roots, 

 within, an inch of the top of the pot then fill round 

 .the fides, putting the mould by little and little in, and 

 preffmg it down gently, make all level to the top within 

 half an inch; finally, give a watering that fhall fcak to 

 the bottom, and fprinkle fome dry mould over. All 

 ihifted plants fhould be kept rather in the fhade for a 

 week or two till ready to ilrike root, 



If anyj?/V/b are to the plants, they mud hie taken 

 away firil, and replaced (if neceflary) again before 

 watering, or rather the next day, if the plapts will 

 Hand up without. This may be a proper time to trim 

 off all dangling, or too crowding fnoots ; but if cut- 

 tings are w r anted for encreafe, they fhould not be trim* 

 vied till thefe are to be planted. At any rate* dead 

 leaves, or unfightly crooked parts, fhould be difcharged, 

 and fymmetry, in a fnug round head, provided for. 

 Geraniums are. free growers, and it is always, advife* 

 able to take off fome Ihoots to keep them dow r n and in 

 jformo A .few. of .the plants, that moft need it (as leaft 



R % hand- 



