TREATMENT OUT OF DOORS. 



101 



when it is required, and keep them clear of weeds, and when I observe 

 that they make roots through the holes at the bottom of the pots, I shift 

 them into a fresh place, which is all the care they require until the 

 autumn arrives, when they are sheltered from the frost in the green- 

 house or in pits.^^ 



GENERAL TREATMENT WHEN OUT OF DOORS. 



Geraniums should only be placed in the open air after they have done 

 flowering. The situation most proper for them, is a dry, any, exposed 

 place ; where they may enjoy the full influence of the sun. During the 

 period of their remaining in this situation, they should be regularly sup- 

 phed with water, and precaution taken to prevent worms from entering 

 into the pots. The best preventive for this, is to water the ground 

 between the pots now and then with lime water, or any water in which 

 alkali has been dissolved. 



The more common varieties, or such as there may be dupHcates of, 

 when done flowering'"^ in the Geranium house, will, if tiu'ned out of the 

 pots and planted in the borders of the flower garden, flower again 

 through the autumnal months, and may afterwards be either taken up, 

 their branches cut down to within about an inch of the point they 

 issued from, potted, and kept in a cold pit for next summer flowering. 

 If not wanted for this purpose they may be thrown away. 



SOIL. 



The Geraniaceae require a light rich soil to grow them to perfection ; 

 that composed of one half very rotten dung and rich hght loam, will be 

 found to answer every pm*pose. Young plants will grow rapidly in 

 decayed leaves having a little sand mixed with them ; but to bring plants 

 to that perfection that vrill enable them to expand flowers of their full 

 size, a Uttle stronger soil is required. Some of the London nurserymen 

 have grown excellent geraniums in a compost of night soil, street 

 sweepings, &c., which has been sweetened, as it is termed, by being ex- 

 posed to the weather for a year or two, and frequently turned over. 

 To enrich any otherwise good Ught loam, bone dust, malt dust, yeast, 

 or any similar stimulant may be used. Geraniums have been grown 

 tolerably well, planted in moss, various species of hypnum^ &c., but in 



