THE FUCHSIA. 
323 
the surface to make the plant, and one from 
below the surface to make the root ; let the 
pots be filled to within an inch of the top with 
proper soil to grow in ; knock the pot on the 
bench two or three times to settle it down 
level, then put half 'an inch of silver sand on 
the top ; stick the cutting into the bottom of 
the sand, so as to touch the compost, but not 
to go into it, and let there be room to place a 
bell-glass so as to let the edge of it into the 
sand a little way : water them in, cover up, 
place them on a slight bottom heat, wipe the 
glasses dry daily, and keep them moist. 
Octobkr. — Those plants which still retain 
their beauty, may be used in the house, the 
conservatory, or greenhouse, as long as they 
are worth a place ; but as their beauty declines, 
they must be prepared for rest by withholding 
water. The seed pods must be picked off as 
they ripen, and should be laid exposed to the 
air in a dry and warm place. Those which 
have thoroughly gone by, may be placed out 
of the way anywhere in the houses, so that 
they do not get moisture by accident : under 
the shelves of the greenhouse would do, but 
they should be laid on their sides if there be 
any danger of drippings of water reaching 
them. Seedlings must be continued in their 
pits, or if in greenhouses, must be allowed to 
grow while they seem inclined, because seed- 
lings differ in their growth and season of rest ; 
while they grow they must have a little mois- 
ture, and as much air as can be given in mild 
weather ; they are all the better if the lights 
are quite open. Take cuttings of all the 
kinds you wish to propagate, and especially of 
all the sorts required for bedding out ; let 
them be placed in pots, and covered with 
bell-glasses : they will strike in the green- 
house, and may be hastened by a little bottom 
heat, if wanted for early bloom. New sorts 
may also require great assiduity in striking 
cuttings. 
November. — The management of the pre- 
sent month is like that of the last. In no 
particular does it differ, unless the plants 
themselves differ; for instance, as the leaves 
fall, and the plants decline, they must be de- 
prived of water, and be put at rest. The 
same is to be observed with the seedlings, for 
some will show that they have done growing, 
and may then be brought into the greenhouse, 
or left in the frame ; but there are many dry 
shelves in the greenhouse, which are better 
adapted for the young seedling plants than a 
moist frame after they have done growing : if 
they remain in the frame, they must have no 
water after the leaf falls. Covering from 
frost is essential, for although fuchsias in the 
open ground frequently stand a moderate 
winter, the same cold would kill them if their 
roots were next to the side of a pot instead of 
underground. Examine the pods of seed, that 
they do not turn mouldy ; on the least appear- 
ance of this, it is better to wash them out of 
their pulp and dry them. See also that the 
plants which are at rest are not permitted to 
dry quite, for if the moisture were all out of 
the mould, they would die. Cuttings that are 
struck may be potted off to grow, or be 
allowed to remain nearly at rest, for they 
will take no harm all the winter. 
December. — Continue the same manage- 
ment as last month, in all respects, both to 
seedlings and to the general collection. Pre- 
pare the compost for potting and repotting, 
by getting turfs cut as if for laying down, and 
piling them up to rot ; there is no better 
compost, although for want of this we are 
forced to mix leaf mould and decomposed 
dung, both of which must be provided in case 
we are driven to use purer and poorer loam. 
By this time all the plants will be at rest, and 
require no other care until they are wanted to 
grow. Cuttings striking or struck, must be 
examined, and wherever any have damped off, 
they must be pulled out and removed, to pre- 
vent the mildew from spreading. It is a very 
common thing to take a quantity of cuttings 
at the fall of the year, and put them in common 
pots close together, that they may take but 
little room, and to place them anywhere out 
of the weather, keeping them just moist 
enough to prevent their drying, and they 
generally strike in a few weeks -without glass- 
ing, after the same manner as China roses are 
struck during the winter months. But those 
who have propagating houses and bottom heat 
at command, do not care to take off cuttings 
for general use until they prune the plants for 
their spring growth ; and then a few weeks 
makes a first-rate plant, ready either for 
bedding out or potting. It is only in case of 
wishing to propagate for sale, that we are 
induced to take cuttings at all periods of the 
year, as the plant can spare them. 
