MARKET PLANTS.— POINSETTIA— PRIMULAS. 329 



water and a change to a moister atmosphere. As often as the young shoots, formed on 

 the stems, attain a length of about 3 inches, take them off with a heel, plunge the base 

 in sand to stop bleeding, insert singly in small pots of sandy loam and peat, and plunge 

 in brisk bottom heat, covering with a propagating frame or hand glass. Little or no 

 water need be given the first three days. When rooted move them to shelves, and soon 

 after give them slightly larger pots. The plants must still be grown in heat, and, if 

 strong, ought early to be given a final shift into 6-inch or slightly larger pots, using 

 good loam with a little leaf soil, decayed 

 manure and sand. When well established 

 in their flowering pots move into frames or 

 pits, where they should be kept moist at 

 the roots, shaded during the hottest part 

 of the day, and afforded abundance of air. 

 Late in September transfer the plants to 

 a light position, in a house where the 

 temperature can be kept at about 55° at 

 first, increasing this when the floral heads 

 are beginning to develop to G0° and G5°. 

 Weak liquid manure should be applied 

 frequently at that time. The old plants, 

 after cuttings have been taken, may be 

 cut down, a week later shaken nearly 

 free of soil, and re-potted, using the same 

 size or slightly larger pots than they were Fig. 189. Poinsettia pulcheeeima. (Market plant.) 

 in formerly. Subsequent treatment should 



be the same as recommended for young plants, and each should then give three or four 

 floral heads. 



PRIMULAS. 



For single Chinese primulas there is a limited local sale, the plants being required 

 for conservatory and greenhouse decoration. Plants in 5-inch pots sell to the trade 

 occasionally at Gs. per dozen, those in G-inch pots fetching 9s., retailing at 9d. and Is. 

 each respectively. April and May are good times for sowing, plants raised earlier 

 losing their first central truss before they can be sold. Pans, or well-drained pots, 

 vol. in. u u 



