74 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



sand. Insert the cuttings firmly three or four round the side of the pot. Plunge in 

 a half-spent or mild hot-bed, taking care to exclude worms, or arrange the pots and 

 cuttings in other warm quarters where they can be kept somewhat close, warm, and 

 shaded. When the cuttings have commenced forming roots, gradually cease shading 

 and admit a little air. Before the roots interlace each other, the plants should be placed 

 singly in 2i-inch or slightly larger pots, using soil similar to that in which they were 

 rooted. Eeturn them to a warm frame or other close quarters not far from the glass, 

 shading lightly till they have commenced rooting afresh, after which they must have 

 abundance of light and air to induce a sturdy growth. 



Fancy varieties are smaller in all their parts than the preceding, and less easy to 

 propagate. In this instance short cuttings of young shoots should be inserted in shallow 

 pans of sandy soil, placing these either on shelves in a propagating or other heated 

 house, or raise them well up to the glass in a warm frame. Some of these varieties may 

 also be increased by means of root cuttings. Short lengths of the thicker roots, each 

 with a few fibres attached, can be detached from the old plants after flowering, and be 

 either placed singly in 2-inch pots, or they may be started in pans similarly to the 

 cuttings of young shoots, only just the top or thickest end showing out of the soil. 

 Plunge in a warm frame, keep the soil uniformly moist, and shade from bright sunshine. 

 Leafy growth will not be slow in forming, after which they should be treated similarly 

 to other newly -rooted plants. 



Eaising Seedlings. — Seeds are gathered when ripe, divested of feathery appendages, 

 wrapped in paper, and stored in a drawer in a cool room till the spring. Early in 

 March is the best time for sowing. Fill pans or well- drained 6-inch pots with the same 

 soil mixture as advised for cuttings, sow the seeds thinly on a level surface, cover 

 lightly, set on or plunge in gentle bottom heat, cover with squares of glass, shade 

 heavily, and if the soil is kept uniformly moist germination will quickly take place. 

 Soon after the seedlings appear remove the pots to a shelf near the glass in gentle heat, 

 and when the plants have formed a second leaf, place them singly in 2 -inch pots, return- 

 ing them to the shelves. Directly the small pots are well filled with roots, shift into 

 4 -inch pots. Keep them growing steadily in light, airy quarters under glass, and early 

 in June all may be arranged on a bed of ashes in the open. This will promote a bushy 

 habit of growth, and cause the wood to become sufficiently firm to flower freely the 

 following season. Winter the plants on shelves in a cool greenhouse, and do not top 

 them, as the principal aim should be to prove the varieties as early as possible. 



