PRUNING AND GROWING FUCHSIAS. 



33 



quarters ; glazed potting-houses, outhouses where severe frosts are excluded, or other safe 

 positions where they will not be regarded as unsightly, and where also they can be 



looked after and protected, answer very well. 

 Water must be given occasionally to keep the young 

 wood plump and no more. If cuttings are desired 

 early, shorten the young wood on some of the 

 smaller plants, to within two joints of the joint 

 where last topped, and place in gentle moist heat. 

 This may be done early in February, but the larger 

 plants ought 

 not to be 

 started into 

 active growth 

 thus early. 



If those in- 

 tended for fine 

 specimens can 

 be afforded 

 abundance of 

 room under 

 glass, they may 



be pruned early in March ; but if they have to be 

 grown principally in the open, as is the case with 

 many large exhibition plants, delay pruning and 

 retard as long as this may be done with safety. 

 Before they form many young shoots at the points 

 of branches, prune severely, or much as shown on 

 the right-hand side (a) of Fig. 13, the opposite 

 side (b) being unpruned. The young wood is very 

 brittle and may be most safely and expeditiously 

 shortened with scissors. The plants must all have 

 a good soaking of water at the roots soon after 



pruning. Those under glass are syringed every morning and again when the house 

 is closed early in the afternoon, but those standing out in a sunny position do not need 



VOL. II. F 



Fig. 13. Fuchsia in Winter. 

 a, pruned ; b, unpruned side. 



Fig. 14. FucH.srA in Summer. 

 From a photograph (Sutton' a). 



