THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



69 



to see that it drains away freely by the hole in the 

 bottom of the pot. The plants must of course have 

 a just share of light and air ; and as to light, indeed, 

 they should be placed nearer the glass than evergreen 

 plants vdth coriaceous leaves and woody shoots, such 

 as the Myrtle and Camellia. When they grow large, 

 straggling, or unwieldy, they should be cut down or 

 cut in ; for the smaller the plants, in general, the 

 larger and more vigorous the flowers and leaves. 

 Seeds will ripen on most sorts, and should be care- 

 fully preserved, as nothing forms a more pleasing- 

 garden amusement for the ladies of a family, than 

 saving these seeds, sowing them, and watching their 

 progress in search of new sorts. The seeds may be 

 sown in pots of light earth, or in a hot-bed, as soon as 

 gathered ; and when they come up and show a pro- 

 per leaf, they may be transplanted into pots of the 

 smallest size. Seedlings, from seeds saved and sown 

 early in the season, will flower the succeeding autumn, 

 and none will be later than a year in showing flowers ; 

 which is a great encouragement. 



It is not an uncommon practice among lady ama- 

 teurs to send their Geraniums or a few of them when 

 in flower to some of the nurserymen, to get them 

 placed where they will be influenced by the genera of 

 other sorts, and thus to try what new hybrid or mule 

 will be the result. Nosegays of geranium blossoms 

 are also procured, and suspended over plants in flowei' 

 with a view to the same object* 



