6 
LONG BROTHERS' CATALOGUE— SPRING, 1876. 
This is best accomplished by planting them in ordinary unpainted (lower pots, and in any kind of light, open soil ; 
but the pots should be of the smallest size that will answer for each individual plant— those two inches across at 
the top, inside measurement, will be most suitable for plants six inches or less in height. The pots should not be 
filled so full of soil but that they may receive and hold enough water to go through. This plan that we recom- 
mend, of allowing only a small quantity of soil to each plant, is one upon which florists invariably act in caring for 
any kinds of plants where the growth has been checked from any cause.and the principle is a correct one. The roots, 
at least some of thcm.of such plants arc, in a measure inactive for the time being.and not in condition to imbibe much 
moisture and food, while getting a newstart: and if more soil is given than is actually needed to sustain them, for a 
few weeks, the tendency might be that it would become sour-like, owing to the moisture contained in it. If no 
small pots, such as we have alluded to, arc at hand, then some of larger size may be used, by first placing broken 
brick pieces, pot shreds or gravel in the bottom, and up to within four inches of the top, upon which to put the 
koil, and then planting the plants two and one-hair inches apart in a circle, almost against the edge of the pots. 
Shallow wooden boxes might also be made to answer, if pots of no kind arc to be had, by boring holes through 
the bottom, and also the sides, just above the bottom, for admitting air and allowing surplus water to escape, 
fjravcl or other rough " drainage" should be filled in the bottom, and to within four inches of the top, before put- 
ting in the soil, and the plants be planted so close to each other that the leaves, when straightened out, will almost 
touch. Set the plants /irmly in the soil, in all cases, being quite carcfijl to allow all the soil that was left on the 
roots in packing, to remain, Water sufficiently soon after planting to moisten the soil throughout. After this first 
application, water every time the surface of the soil begins to show particles of dry earth, but no oftcner, and at 
each of these times give an abundance of water. 
After the Plants have been properly planted, the best place for them will be in a moderately warm place in 
the conservatory or on the window sill of a light window, in the dwelling. For a week or more the air may be 
kept rather cool and moist to their advantage, as they should not be quickly forced into growth. A simple and inex- 
pensive means for securing moisture for the plants in any house, is to place the pots or boxes on a wide board, on 
the window sill, and then fasten a piece of cloth, or newspapers against the window, at a point two or three feet 
above the shelf, and allow it to hang down over and outside the shelf (or rather inside, towards the room), thus 
forming a sort of hood, facing the light, over the plants. This will sufficiently exclude the ungenial dryness ol 
the atmosphere as it generally exists in our rooms. When the weather is warm, fresh air can be admitted to the 
plants from the outside by raising the window. None should, however, be admitted for the first forty-eight hours, 
and then only by littles for another week. The plants, whether in a conservatory or in the window, should also be 
shaded from the sun during the first week, by covering a single sheet of paper over them, while it is in a direction 
to shine upon them. Under such treatmenl the plants will soon start thrifty working roots, and then by giving 
them, at any time, a thorough watering, they can be safely transplanted to their places of future growth. Such a 
nursery is to be preferred to a hot-bed for managing newly received plants in. 
If, under any circumstances, Plants when received seem rather too dry in the box for unpacking well, then 
enough water should be gradually allowed to drip on the moss about the roots, to wet it to the bottom, also some 
among the foliage. When the moisture has thoroughly penetrated throughout the box, the plants may be re- 
moved and treated as directed above. Where it is impossible to care for the plants immediately after they arrive, 
the cover should be taken off the box, so that the air can penetrate throughout the contents, a little water be 
sprinkled into it and all kept loosely covered with* a damp paper. 
Dry Bulbs, Seeds, etc., require no special care only to be kept dry and safe from mice and other vermin until 
time for starting them. I.iliums, Tritomas, Hardy Plants, etc., in their resting state, should be healed in sand or 
light soil in a cool cellar, where it is not too damp or too dry, until time for planting out ; or, if received late, may 
be planted out nt once. Dormant plants of Roses, Aloysi.i, etc., maybe treated similarly, or be started into 
growth immediately, be it early or late, in the spring. 
The above directions apply with about equal furcc to Plants anil other stock received by Express as by Mail. 
We provide an ItiNtriit'tlvo work on Floriculture, frco 10 every new retail customer of 
our I no who biiyn S i 00 worth of Koch. 
The wurlt.wc allude to, and which we furnish to customers free, is entitled THE HOME FLORIST: it be- 
ing n treatise on the cultivation, management and adaptability of all ordinary and many rare, Ornamental and 
Flowering Plants in the Open Air, Window Garden, and Amateur's Conservatory, embracing Hardy and Tender 
((ircenhousel Perennials, Annuals, Hicnninls, Bulbs, Tubers, etc., with an extended chapter on Roses, besides 
affording much other, general information. Its price is Co cents, substantially bound in cloth, and 30 cents in 
[taper covers, by mail, post paid. This work was published in 187.1, and up to the present time has met with very 
extended sale, aside from the copies furnished to our customers. Hundreds pronounce it to be exactly suited to 
their wants', and of more value than any $1.50 or $2.00 book on the same subject which they may possess. 
CONDITIONS ON WHICH THE HOME FLORIST IS FURNISHED. 
EVERY NEW CUSTOMER OF OUR HOUSE, who, during 1876, purchases stock to the amount of 
tut upwards, nut, in any one order, and at Retail Catalogue prices, will be entitled to one copy of the 
HOMtt FLORIST* in /afcr, or by paying 30 cents extra, a copy bound in cloth, free of charge, by mail, postpaid. 
PERSONS ORDERING AND PAYING for the Home Fi.oiust IN ADVANCE, arc allowed the privi- 
lege of applying its oost /rice in /it/er binding, 30 cents, towards paying any order for stock, amounting to 
$j.oo ok upwards, nkt, which they may favor us with. To cfTcct this readily, a certificate valual at y>cts. is 
enclosed in EVERY COPY ok tiik Home Elokist, both in paper and cloth binding, which has been 
or Die RED AND paid vow in advance, and this wilt be received in payment for any stock named in our Cata- 
logue, THE same as so MUCH money, as per these terms, and according to the conditions printed on its face. 
