TREATMENT OF PLANTS FOR WINTER AND SPRING FORCING. 
273 
of being cultivated into a shrubby bush, less formal in its external aspect under suitable 
conditions. 
Like many neglected plants we meet with now and then, it will assuredly become an 
unsightly object when allowed to grow at random, if a judicious system of pruning and 
keeping it in bounds is not timely resorted to ; but nevertheless, this circumstance does 
not disqualify it from reaching the height of 6 or 8 feet, and branching uniformly from 
base to apex, so far from this we more than suspect that this Pleroma may be grown to a 
large sized, handsome specimen, formed pyramidically or otherwise, of free flowering habit, 
and indeed altogether, of a very ornate character, produced by appropriate pruning, thinning 
and directing of the main branches when disposed in the border, on the sunniest aspect 
of a cool conservatory ; a supposition we are fully borne out in by the appearance of a 
specimen 6 feet high or more, and blooming freely, which recently came under our notice 
in a small orange-conservatory in the garden of S. Rucker, Esq., Wandsworth. 
TREATMENT OF PLANTS INTENDED FOR WINTER AND SPRING 
FORCING FOR THEIR FLOWERS. 
By G. T. 
(Continued from p. 242.) 
At the commencement of August preparation must be made for potting them in a 
compost similar to that in which they have been growing ; with the addition to it of 
plenty of coarse portions of well decomposed turfy loam and vegetable matter. 
A single potsherd and plenty of moss in a fresh state will make the best of drainage, 
as into the latter, when becoming somewhat decomposed by the action of water passing 
through the pots, the plants will freely root. Whilst the employment of good roomy pots 
will be necessary on the one hand, (as obviating the necessity of reducing the balls of the 
plants no more than can be avoided in the process of taking them up), there can exist no 
objection to their employment on any other score, being mainly intended (and chiefly 
employed when in flower) to fill up vacant spaces and occupy the most prominent positions 
in large greenhouses or conservatories, the decoration of corridors, entrance halls, &c., in 
conjunction with forced specimens of Rhododendrons and other hardy shrubs. The 
beginning of August is oftentimes very hot and dry ; it will therefore be necessary to 
remove the plants when potted into the north side of a cold pit, where they must receive 
a good watering, and be kept tolerably close, with an occasional syringing for three or 
four days as many times a day ; by which time they will have recovered from the check 
unavoidable under the best of circumstances in transferring plants in the midst of vigour, 
from the open ground to the confined medium of a pot. 
Gradually inure them to the open air again, and after the lapse of ten days or a 
fortnight, they will be fit to transfer to the open ground, where they must be plunged in 
coal-ashes, &c., as hinted for shrubs. In this situation due attention must be paid to the 
routine of watering, stopping; and the removal of flowers, &c., must again be persevered 
in ; and if the remainder of the season continues fine and dry, the plants will derive the 
greatest benefit and assistance in the maturity of their summer growth, from the check 
experienced in being repotted, combined with freedom of exposure afterwards. In 
consequence of their comparative hardiness, a nocturnal frost or two in September need 
not create alarm for their safety ; although it will be advisable to remove them to the 
temporary protection of a cold-pit towards the end of that month when the “ Ice King ” 
has sometimes made havoc amongst half-hardy plants left unsheltered in the open air. 
When placed in the pit, they must again be plunged to the pot-rims, receiving but 
little moisture, being rather allowed all the repose, short of actually suffering from 
dryness at the root, and plenty of air in favourable weather throughout the rest of the 
autumn and ensuing winter, until wanted for forcing in succession, in conjunction with 
hardy shrubs. 
VOL. i. — NO. IX. 
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