170 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
adopted in private gardens, and I will describe it as briefly as 
possible, for the guidance of those amateurs who may be desirous of 
growing this useful plant to the highest state of perfection. At the 
Crystal Palace, w'here we have visitors from all parts of the world 
and of all ranks of society, we of necessity are compelled to grow 
the plants used for decorative purposes to a very liigh state of per- 
fection ; and for that reason are bound to adopt, in many cases, a 
system differing materially from that adopted elsewhere. Por 
example, the half-starved Hydrangeas, with puny little heads of 
flowers, which one frequently meets with in the private conservatory, 
would, in a noble building like the Crystal Palace, be of small value 
for purposes of embellishment, and would not create so favourable 
an impression in the minds of the visitors as we could wish. After 
stating this much, I am anxious to remove any impression which 
might prevail, after reading the foregoing remarks, that our system 
entails a larger amount of labour than that of any other cultivator. 
It does nothing of the kind, for, after all, it is exceedingly simple, 
and may be said to consist in doing the work in the proper manner 
and in the right way. It is, moreover, equally as well adapted for 
the cultivation of a dozen plants, as it is for those who like to grow 
them by hundreds. 
Let us for a moment imagine the case of an amateur who pos- 
sesses a plant which, although of considerable size, is of no value for 
decorative purposes. Now, the best course to pursue will be to 
strike a batch of cuttings, so as to lay, as it were, the foundation of 
a stock of plants, and the old plant will yield an abundance. To do 
this is simple enough, for the short-jointed shoots, without flowers, 
strike freely w'hen managed in the ordinaiy way. With the aid of a 
cucumber or melon pit, the cutting can be struck at any time, but 
if they have to be placed in the greenhouse or cold frame, it will be 
better to wait until the summer season, w hen the wood has become 
moderately firm, and avoid the risk of their damping off. Prepare 
the cutting pots by first placing a layer of crocks in the bottom, 
and then filling them with a light and sandy mixture. A layer of 
sand will comj)lete the work, and the cuttings can be inserted round 
the outside. The latter should be cut just under the third joint, 
and the lower pair of leaves removed. Well water them in and for 
the first fortnight or so,, keep them rather close and moist to keep 
the leaves fresh for as great a length of time as possible ; but at all 
times sufficient air must be admitted to prevent the decay of the 
leaves resulting from an excess of moisture. This can be easily 
done, whether the cuttings are placed under a hand-glass in the 
greenhouse or in a frame. 
No time must be lost, and thereforo make a point of potting 
them off separately immediately they are rooted, and put them in 
three-inch pots, and afford them every encouragement to become 
established quickly by keeping them close for a few days, and the 
foliage sprinkled once a day. A stocky growth from the first is 
essential, and to secure this expose the plants freely, and if they 
are well established by the end of July, place them in the open air. 
The winter management consists in thoroughly resting the plants 
