THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



The pentstemon is propagated by cuttings or seeds, the former being the means 

 by which good varieties are increased. Cuttings of the young growths round the 

 main stem may be made in August or September, but this mode of increase can be 

 adopted almost at any time. Take the points of the leafy shoots and cut them 

 across just below a joint, so that they may be about four or five inches long (Fig. 41). 

 Insert the cuttings in well-drained pots of light, sandy soil. Press them firmly 

 into the soil and remove the pots to a cold frame. They may also be rooted in the 



them in gentle heat. The illustration (Fig. 42) is a fair example of the present race 

 of pentstemon. 



When the seedlings appear admit air gradually and keep them well to the light. 

 When large enough to handle prick them off into boxes. Keep them growing with 

 a little heat, and then harden in cold frames preparatory to planting out in beds. 

 The plants so raised flower during the summer. About a foot apart is a good 

 distance between the plants. Some sow the seeds in beds in June, lifting the plants 

 in August, wintering them in cold frames until planting out begins in spring. 



ground if covered with a hand-light or 

 frame, and allowed to remain during 

 winter with some protection; this plan 

 answers admirably. Plant them out 

 about April or May, according to the 

 climate of the locality. Old plants 

 sometimes stand the winter outside, but 

 should have a covering of ashes. Even 

 with this precaution they cannot be 

 depended upon. 



New varieties are raised from seeds, 

 and the strains of these now offered by 

 the leading seedsmen yield a very large 



percentage of first-class flowers. The 

 seed should be saved from the best varie- 

 ties only — those with distinct colours and 

 well-formed large flowers. In February 

 or early in March sow the seeds in pans 

 or boxes filled with light soil, placing 



