98 



THE GERANIUM HOUSE. 



when no water must be given them till they begin to grow again, which 

 may be looked for about February and March. "When at rest, any situa- 

 tion where they can be kept moderately dry and cool, will do for them : 

 heat, hght, and moistm-e being unnecessary.'^ 



The best time to increase this section of Pelargoniums, is just before 

 they begin to grow. Take off a small tuber or two, where they can be 

 spared, from each plant, and put them into as small pots as they can be 

 placed, just to cover them ; place them in gentle heat, giving but httle 

 water till they begin to grow, when they may be removed amongst the 

 estabHshed plants, and the ordinary culture given ; they may also be in- 

 creased by seed, which, however, they do not produce so freely as the 

 shrubby species." 



In regard to the species that have not been hybridized, of which P. 

 bicolor, tricolor, ovatum, tetragonuin, elatum, pendulum, fulgiduniy elegans, 

 &c., form a part, the above authority directs as follows : "As they are all 

 shrubby species, they require watering all the year, though always care- 

 fully, for if the soil gets soddened with water for any length of time, it is in 

 general fatal to the plants. They also require greenhouse treatment during 

 mnter and spring. In summer they should be placed out of doors in an 

 open situation, screened from high winds, and set upon a bed of ashes so 

 thick as to prevent worms fi'om getting into the pots : keep them clear of 

 weeds, tied up neatly, and regularly watered during dry weather. Pot 

 them into larger pots when they require it ; the best season for which 

 operation is the month of April. 



" To propagate them, take 3'oungish cuttings off about the month of May ; 

 fit some bell or small hand glasses to such a number of pots as may be 

 requu'ed ; fill them half full with broken potsherds, rough bits of turf, or 

 anything that v^dll permit the water to pass freely ofif ; put in upon them 

 as much of the compost," [loam, peat earth, vegetable soil, and sand, in 

 equal proportions, w^hich Mr. A. finds to be most proper for them,] *' as 

 will fill the pots up to one inch of the rims, and fill up to the top with pm'e 

 sand ; then give a gentle watering, and insert the cuttings, giving more 

 water to settle the sand close and firm to them. When pretty dry, cover 

 them with the glasses, and place them in a gentle heat ; pot them ofif when 

 struck, and keep them close and warm till they have struck root again ; 

 then give them the ordinary treatment, as to situation, air, watering, potting, 

 and so forth." 



Propagation of the large or ordinary sorts of Pelargoniums by seeds is 

 seldom practised, excepting with a view to obtain new varieties ; and it is 

 almost vain to attempt this, unless attention has been paid to artificial im- 



