22 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



creamy white bracts, but neither this nor the so-called double variety, P. p. plenissima, 

 is often seen in attractive condition. 



Propagation may be effected by cutting the firm old stems into short lengths of two 

 joints, and inserting the sections nearly their whole length in sandy soil, plunging the 



Fig. 8. POINSETTIA PULCHEEEISIA. 



pots in a hotbed in February or March. The more common method is to start the 

 previously dried off and rested plants into growth, not cutting them down, in April 

 or May, and as they produce side shoots, converting them into cuttings. The cuttings 

 ought to be 2 to 3 inches long when taken, and detached with a heel. Stop the cuttings 

 from bleeding by thrusting the wound into fine dry sand, then quickly insert singly 



