204 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
roots, and give a moderate shift if necessary ; but unless the ball is 
found to be well-filled with healthy roots, defer shifting until this is 
the case ; for there is considerable risk and no advantage in over- 
potting such plants as this. It is desirable, however, to get such 
things into the pots in which they are to be wintered as soon after 
this season as possible, so as to allow of having them well estab- 
lished before winter ; therefore shifting should be attended to as 
soon as the plants require it. 
Keep rather close and moist for a fortnight or so, after re- 
potting, giving water very carefully ; but sprinkle the plants over- 
head morning and evening, and keep the atmosphere as moist as can 
conveniently be done to prevent rapid evaporation until the roots 
get hold of the fresh soil. During the growing season, attend to 
keeping the shoots nicely pegged down or tied out, in order to 
admit light and air, and to secure strong growth. After the middle 
of August discontinue syringing and shading, and expose the plants 
freely to sun and air ; and, when it can be done without danger of 
frost or heavy rain, leave the lights otf at night, and endeavour to 
have the wood strong and well matured previous to winter. 
When cold or foggy weather sets in, it will be advisable to re^ 
move the plants to their winter quarters, which should be near the 
glass in the greenhouse, where they may receive all the light pos- 
sible, and a free circulation of air whenever the weather will per- 
mit ; for growth must not be encouraged at this season. Give water 
very sparingly to the soil, and if the house is properly managed, it 
will be necessary only at considerable intervals ; and when any is 
given, the ball should be thoroughly moistened. Towards the 
middle of March, cut the shoots back as much as may be necessary 
to induce the buds to break closely, and place them in the closest 
part of the house, keeping them well supplied with water at the 
roots, and a slight sprinkle with the syringe on the morning of 
bright days will be useful. As soon as the buds have fairly started, 
shift into pots two sizes larger than those in which the plants have 
been wintered, and place them where the night temperature may 
range from 40° to 45°, allowing it to rise some 10° with sunshine 
and air. Keep a watchful eye, however, upon the young specimens, 
and endeavour to secure well placed strong growth, regulating the 
temperature, etc., more by the state of the plants than by any pre- 
conceived notion, or arbitrary rule ; and if insects are perceived they 
must be eradicated at once. Owing to the difficulty of maintaining, 
in large houses, a cool, moist atmosphere, without which these 
plants can hardly be induced to make strong rapid growth, they 
should be removed to a cold pit or frame as early in spring as the 
weather proves at all settled. Afford them plenty of pot-room 
during the growing season, as much warmth and moisture as they 
will bear without making weakly growth, exposing them to all but 
the mid-day sun, and keeping the shoots carefully tied out, and if 
all goes on well they form nice compact little specimens by winter, 
and will bloom profusely the following spring. 
They should be wintered as recommended above, and of course 
they should be allowed to remain in the greenhouse to bloom, and 
