THE MANUAL OP GARDENING. 
41 
not attain that size and beauty, nor are they so abundant as they 
would be, if the plants were turned out during the summer 
months into an open border, the earth of which is light, contain- 
ing a mixture of loam and a little well-rotted manure: here they 
will flower in the greatest perfection during the summer; and 
all, excepting a very few of the most delicate kinds, will be pro- 
fited by this treatment. 
As Geraniums strike easily during the summer, cuttings 
should be potted early that they may gain strength to bear the 
winter; and the.se will supply the places of those which have 
grown too luxuriantly to re-pot in the autumn. Young plants 
are well known to flower best ; and therefore, to procure them, 
cuttings should be taken at the junction of the old and new 
wood, just below a bud, as it is out of this bud the root will 
strike : cut smoothly, and do not bruise or leave the bark jagged. 
A rather warm situation is desirable to facilitate their growth, 
or place over them a hand-glass; a moderate supply of water is 
requisite, too much would rot them. The pots containing them 
must not be placed in saucers or pans, but a good draining must 
be allowed : standing them on cinder ashes is good. Indeed no 
pots should be placed in any vessel to retain the water, which 
should freely run through to wash away the slime and excremen- 
titious matter thrown off by the root. If the cuttings are put in 
the open ground, they must be shaded with a mat during the heat 
of the day ; many of the leaves (not all) should be taken off, and 
all flower buds carefully removed. They will speedily begin to 
grow, and when they are well struck they should be placed in 
separate pots, housed at the first approach of frost, and they will 
be ready to supply the place of those which may become over- 
grown. 
Geraniums may be propagated by seed, which generally is 
produced in July ; it should be gathered when ripe, and imme- 
diately sowed in a pot, and plunged in a hot-bed or placed under 
a glass; and in about three weeks after coming up, should be 
potted separately, and by autumn will be fine plants. 
Geraniums flower much more vigorously in young than old 
wood, therefore the most successful cultivators “ head” them, as 
it is termed, or shorten the shoots (frequently cutting quite close 
to the wood of the previous year) in the Autumn. In Febru- 
ary, shift them into roomy pots and rich light loamy compost; 
when they are growing freely, give water liberally; but when in 
a dormant state it should be applied with care and moderation. 
The subjoined catalogue may aid those who cannot make a 
personal selection from the collections kept for sale: 
Americana, white, dark spots. 
Countess of Munster, white. 
Admiral Codrington, blush. 
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