The Greenhouse and Frame 223 
may “clamp off” at the neck. If flowers appear too early 
they should be nipped off, thus reserving the strength of 
the plants for the proper dowering season in early spring. 
Cinerarias. — This is another class of plants which, 
when well grown, produce a splendid display in early 
spring. They dower very freely, while some of the blooms 
are of enormous size and bright in colour. Some of the 
varieties have smaller dowers, and are most useful for 
cutting for home decoration. 
The seed may be sown during May, in a pot or pan, in 
a compost similar to that used for the sowing of Primulas; 
and, in fact, the sowing, and treatment in the very early 
stages, may be exactly as advised for Primulas. When 
they are large enough to handle they should be pricked off 
into small 60s pots, and placed in a cool, airy part of the 
house, and partially shaded. There is less fear of over- 
watering these plants. As the leaves grow, a large quan- 
tity of water is given off in transpiration, and this loss 
must be made good by the roots taking up more from the 
soil. When the small pots are filled with roots, but before 
they get potbound, the plants should be moved into 4-in. 
pots, again using the compost advised for potting Primulas. 
Some of the plants may remain in these pots to flower, but 
where extra large plants are required they may be placed 
into 7-in. pots, when the 4-in. ones are full of roots. When 
potted, they should be placed in a frame, if possible, or in 
a cool, airy part of the greenhouse, and the watering care 
fully attended to. 
As already explained, there is not so much fear of over- 
watering these plants, but they must on no account get 
dry; otherwise they are almost sure to get attacked by 
