THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
231 
amateur, I shall confine myself to general management. The time 
at which the tubers may be started, must depend on the season 
at which the plants are required to bloom ; if started in February, 
the more dwarf-grcwing kinds will flower early in June, and a suc- 
cession of tubers planted up to that time will ensure blooming 
plants to the latter part of autumn. Presuming that a supply of 
tubers of desirable kinds are at hand, they should be carefully 
shaken out of the soil they have been kept in during their season of 
rest, some well-drained pots or pans should be provided, and filled to 
within two inches of the top, with a light rich sandy soil. On this 
the tubers should be placed rather thickly, and covered to the depth 
of an inch ; they should then be removed to a close warm situation ; 
a pit or frame, where a little bottom-heat is available for plunging 
the pots in, is most suitable when started early in the season. Water 
should be given sparingly until the plants appear above the soil, 
when a more liberal supply will be necessary ; but in this and the 
later stages of growth it should be judiciously applied, as the 
Achimenes is very susceptible of injury by overwatering at the roots. 
When about two inches high, the plants may be potted in six or 
seven-inch pots. 
If it be desirable to flower them in this size, from four to six 
plants will be sufficient for each pot ; but if larger specimens can be 
conveniently accommodated, a large number, say eight or twelve 
plants, will be requisite. After potting, place them iu a close, 
warm house for a few days ; when re-established, air may be 
admitted freely on favourable occasions ; and the plants kept near 
the glass, to prevent their becoming drawn ; a slight shading will 
be required in bright sunny weather, and a genial, moist atmosphere 
must be maintained. 
When well rooted and in vigorous growth, the plants should 
receive a final shift into pots or pans ; the roots delight to ramble 
near the surface of the soil, and for this reason I prefer pans for 
large specimens ; these are from twelve to sixteen inches deep ; 
over the bottom I place an inch of broken potsherds, and on this 
a thin layer of fibrous matter to prevent the soil mixing with 
the drainage. If pots are used, one-third of the depth may be 
safely filled in the same manner. In potting, the ball of soil should 
be placed as entire as possible in the centre of the pot or pan, suffi- 
ciently below the top to allow a slight surfacing of mould among 
the plants when filling up with soil. After completing this opera- 
tion, remove the plants to their former quarters, where the advan- 
tages of light and warmth can be derived, and encourage a vigorous 
growth by keeping up a moist atmosphere. As it becomes neces- 
sary, attention will be required to tie and otherwise neatly train the 
branches, so that they may present a compact mass of bloom. Some 
of the more erect, strong-growing kinds may be stopped once or 
twice during their growth, to preserve a dwarf habit. When the 
plants are in bloom they must be carefully hardened before removal 
to a cooler situation, and they should at all times be guarded against 
currents of cold air. After flowering, the plants should be again 
placed in a warm house, and water gradually withheld so as to 
Angust. 
