266 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
are imperatively necessary to place the exhibitor at the bead of the 
prize-list. 
To produce large well-flowered specimens, of the character and 
size of that represented in the illustration, which is a good portrait 
of one of the many large specimens we have exhibited at the prin- 
cipal exhibitions in London and the provinces duriuo; the last twenty 
years, a period of three years will be required. "When tliey arrive 
at this stage they may be maintained in good condition during a 
period extending from three to ten years, according to the skill of 
the cultivator and the constitution of the variety. Lancy varieties 
cannot be kept in a flourishing state for so long a time, hut even 
these differ considerably in this respect. The current mouth is most 
favourable for making a commencement. 
As they can now be propagated to any extent, and strong plants 
may also be purchased, those who take them in hand for the first 
time should purchase well-established plants in three or five inch 
pots, and if they have not been already pruned, cut *them down to 
within about three joints of the base of each of the young shoots ; 
or, if they are only furnished with one stem, to within about three 
inches of the surface of the soil. Provided the wood has been 
properly matured previously, and the plants sprinkled overhead occa- 
sionally, they will soon commence to make new growth. As soon 
as the young shoots are about an inch in length, turn the plants out 
of the pots, remove the greater portion of the soil, aud after 
pruning the roots moderately, return them to pots of the same size, 
and, of course, use a fresh compost, and this should consist of 
mellow turfy loam, enriched moderately with leaf-mould and 
thoroughly decayed manure. The drainage must be good, and the 
soil pressed rather firm. Until the end of September the plants 
may be allowed to remain in the open air, and supplied with water 
as required until the end of September, but it is preferable to place 
them upon a bed of coal ashes in a cold frame, and to leave them 
uncovered, excepting in wet or otherwise unfavourable weather. 
After the end of the above-mentioned mouth, the greenhouse stage 
will be the best position for them. When newly potted they will 
require a moderate amount of water overhead, and afterwards 
sufficient at the roots to keep the soil in a nice moist state. During 
the winter the foliage must be kept perfectly dry, and very little 
water at the roots will suffice to keep the plants in health. In the 
spring of the second year the plants will require shifting into pots 
one or two sizes larger, and the young growth stopped when between 
two and three inches in length. As they become established in- 
crease the supply of water, and commence as soon as necessary to 
tie out the young shoots to form as it were the framework of the 
specimen. This can be done by inserting a few short stakes round 
the pot, and then tying the shoots down to it if the plants appear 
to be thin. After the shoots have been stopped and commence to 
grow freely again, they may be stopped again, as it is a matter of 
prime importance to secure a bushy growth from the first. 
As they go out of flower in the summer, place them out of doors 
on a dry hard bottom, and water sparingly, to promote the thorough 
