DECORATIVE VARIETIES. 
19 
of cuttings is to be obtained, are kept sihort-jointed and 
stocky, and a healthy and vigorous constitution the letter 
perpetuated. The grower should assure himself from the 
start that the ball of soil and roots which represent the 
old stool are thoroughly moistened. The soil should 
be moistened throughout, without which it is use- 
less to anticipate a successful sequence in the way 
of a free development of cuttings. When water- 
ing the old stools, do not rest content with merely 
watering them once only, but repeat the dose until 
there is conclusive evidence that the soil is moistened 
throughout. The temperature of the cool greenhouse 
should be maintained at about forty-five to fifty degrees ; 
this being quite warm enough to promote new growths 
of a desirable kind. Ventilate the glass structure on 
every favourable occasion, and take care that cold winds 
and draughts are guarded against. 
The foregoing method of treating the old plants 
answers the purpose of those whose demands are some- 
what limited. Most growers in private establishments 
may procure a sufficient supply of stock by leaving the old 
stools in their flowering pots as already advised, and in 
the case of most amateur cultivators the same rule holds 
good. There are many instances, however, where 
growers desire to work their stock plants very hard, and 
where it is difficult to provide a sufficient quantity of cut- 
tings by the orthodox methods already laid down. Such 
growers should have recourse to a more drastic system of 
treating their stock plants, and for them there are two 
methods worth following. They should either shake the 
old stools out of their flowering pots, reduce the ball of 
soil and roots very considerably, and repot them in five- 
inch or six-inch pots, using any soil of a light and gritty 
character, potting rather lightly. Or, they should trans- 
plant, or, rather, plant out, the reduced stools in specially 
prepared beds of soil on the greenhouse benches. 
The management of stock plants is a very simple mat- 
ter, and the saving in time and labour is considerable. 
