296 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
noons of fine days. If the plant has several shoots, these should be 
nicely spread out, and the points of the longer ones pinched out in 
order to secure compact growth ; but do not stop too freely until 
growth has fairly commenced. As soon as the buds are perceived 
to be pushing, examine the state of the ro<'ts, and if the ball is well 
covered with healthy, active roots, give a moderate shift; but avoid 
shifting unless more pot room is really wanted. Also be careful to 
have the ball moist, and the soil to be used in a healthy state ; and 
water very carefully for a month or so after potting, keeping the 
atmosphere moist, and syringing overhead every fine afternoon, or 
oftener, where fire-heat is used. When growth fairly commences, 
be very careful not to expose the tender foliage to currents of cold 
drying air ; but admit air freely on every favourable opportunity, 
and avoid keeping the atmosphere so warm as to induce weakly 
growth. From the middle of April to the beginning of May, 
according to the stale of the weather, remove the plant to a cold 
frame, which, with a little attention, will be a much more suitable 
situation for them after this season than the ordinary greenhouse, or 
a house where fire-heat is used. If drying winds occur after 
removing the plants to a cold frame, give air verv sparingly, raising 
the sash a little on the sheltered side, and use a slight shade to keep 
down the temperature; but during fine weather give air freely, and 
secure a thoroughly moist atmosphere bv sprinkling the floor of the 
pit every morning and evening, and the plants overhead every fine 
afternoon, shutting up close for the evening, but give air for the 
night. As growth advances, attend to keeping the shoots nieely 
tied out, and stop, as may be necessary, to secure close growth. If a 
second shift is necessary, this should be atten led to as early in the 
season as it may be wanted, so as to allow of getting the plants well 
rooted into the fresh soil before winter. As soon as cold damp 
weather occurs in autumn, remove the plants to a situation near the 
glass in the greenhouse, and treat them as directed for last winter. 
If it is intended to allow them to flower, they should remain in the 
greenhouse, and be slightly shaded while in bloom ; but if it is 
intended to grow them another season before flowering, the shoots 
should be cut back, so as to remove the flowei’-buds, placing them 
in a situation where they can be kept moist, in order to encourage 
growth. Attend to potting as may be required, and otherwise treat 
them during the growing season as directed above, only stopping 
should not be practised later than June, as stopping later in the 
season would tend to cause them to flower weakly and irregularly. 
The plants will require to be slightly cut back, and to have their 
shoots tied out and regulated every season after flowering. For 
soil, use good rich fibry peat, selecting the very best pieces, and be 
careful to have it in prime condition as to age, etc. This should be 
broken up rather small, and intermixed with a liberal proportion of 
silver-sand and a sprinkling of lumpy bits of charcoal, or clean 
potsherds broken small. In potting be sure to secure perfect 
drainage, and make the new soil rather firm about the ball to 
prevent the water passing off through it too freely. 
