THE FUCHSIA AS A STANDARD. 
15 
the existence of a greater extent of foliage to feed upon the atmosphere. By the 
practice of stopping the branches, the main vigour of the plant is directed to the 
stem. After the plant has completed its growth, the lateral branches in question 
must be pruned off close to the stem, from which no more must be allowed to grow, 
excepting those from the top of the plant, and which are meant to form its head. 
In one season, according to the various habits of the plant as regards their robust- 
ness, or delicate nature, they will attain to various dimensions ; as each reaches the 
required height, it may be stopped, and the formation of the head forthwith com- 
menced. It is not necessary to give minute directions for the guidance of this 
point; the operator's own judgment must be the guide which regulates its size, &c, 
the strength of the stem, height, &c. being kept in view. Till the head is properly 
formed a continual stopping of the branches will be necessary ; but after its formation 
is complete, the branches should be encouraged to grow long, as their depending 
habit, from so growing, will have a charming effect. Such plants as, up to the period 
when their growth is completed, have not grown sufficiently high, must be placed 
away till another season, and then subjected to a similar course of treatment till the 
required dimensions are obtained. 
All flowers the plants may produce through their growth must be removed, to 
prevent an unnecessary expenditure of their resources. 
The great advantage of employing the method we have described, is the quickness 
with which a standard specimen may be obtained, coupled with the fact, that, what- 
ever the kind, from the most recent novelty to the oldest in cultivation, all are alike 
easily induced to grow to that shape. As to any stated height at which a plant 
should be considered sufficiently high, there is undoubtedly a point which it may be 
thought perfection to attain — a variation from which may be allowed to give variety, 
and permit the indulgence of individual taste. But as we have in a former volume 
enlarged upon this point, we need not repeat it here. 
The recently-mentioned advantages of the method just referred to brings us to 
the consideration of another, which may be employed by all, and resorted to by those 
who have not the means of carrying out the one before mentioned. It is well 
known that when planted in the open border, and circumstances of suitable soil, situ- 
ation, &c, are favourable, it grows with excessive luxuriance. Plants of some of the 
old and strong-growing species, which had been planted out some years, we have 
known annually to produce shoots from five to six feet high : stems of these dimensions, 
or those of less, if it suit the taste of whoever may wish to possess them, may be 
chosen, and carefully separated from the parent plant, employing great caution, and 
patiently endeavouring to detach them with roots : it is not necessary that a large 
mass be attached to the stems that are thus obtained. The most easily procured, 
and such as can be got without injury to the remaining plants, which should always 
be kept in view, are those which grow at the outside ; they also have the best roots. 
It is doubtless understood, that the proper time to wrest these stems from their 
parent plants, is when they have grown to as great dimensions as they are likely to 
