176 Experiments on the Colours of the Hydrangea Hortensis. 



Few plants exceed the Hydrangea Hortensis in beauty, 

 especially if some bearing blue and some red flowers, are 

 mixed together. I have in general been very successful in the 

 management of them, which has been conducted in the fol- 

 lowing manner. 



As a succession of young plants is necessary, I raise some 

 each year by taking, in the beginning or middle of July, 

 young shoots with three or four joints, cutting them off close 

 to the joint which is at the bottom of the shoot ; these are 

 planted in rich earth, in a warm border, and covered with a 

 hand-glass ; they are shaded during the middle of the day, 

 and sprinkled with water from a fine rose watering pot, two or 

 three times a week, in the evening, so as to keep them 

 moist; the glass being kept close over them at all times. 

 They will also grow by layers made in July, in the same way 

 as is usual with Carnations. The cuttings or layers will 

 be well rooted by the end of August, at which time, or early 

 in September, they must be put singly into small pots, and 

 placed under a frame, which at first must be shut up close ; 

 if they can be assisted by a temperate dung heat, at this 

 time, it will be better for them. In the frame they must be 

 shaded and watered as before. About the middle or end 

 of October, they are to be taken into the green house, or 

 other shelter, where they can be protected from wet and 

 frost ; during the winter, they must be watered once a 

 week or fortnight, as they may require. In the latter end 

 of May, or early in June following, they must be turned 

 out into a bed of rich mould, in the open ground, to remain 

 there till September, when they must be taken up and pot- 

 ted, and kept protected from damp and cold, as in the 

 preceding winter. Instead of turning them out, as stated, 



