SEPTEMBER. 
267 
a brisk bottom heat, will root freely. Taking it for granted that there 
is a supply of tubers at hand in early spring, they should be separated 
from the soil in which they have been wintered, and planted in shallow 
pots or pans (the latter are preferable) well drained, and filled with 
light sandy soil to within two inches of the top. The tubers should be 
laid rather thickly and regularly upon the surface, and covered with 
mould to the depth of an inch, or as much more as the pan will hold. 
Water should be sparingly applied, only just sufficient should be 
given to keep the soil in a moist state. If active growth is desired, 
without loss of time, plunge the pots or pans in a gentle bottom heat. 
When the plants are about three inches high they should be carefully 
lifted from the soil and potted in 7-inch pots, placing twelve or more 
plants in a pot, according to the sized specimens that may be wanted. 
After potting, place them in a close and rather warm atmosphere till 
they have become fairly established ; a temperature of about 60^ at 
night, allowing it to rise 10° or 15° with sun-heat in the daytime, will 
be found the most congenial to the plants at this stage of their growth. 
As soon as they are established in their pots, air should be freely 
admitted on all favourable occasions, and the plants kept near the glass. 
If all goes on well they will soon fill the pots with roots, when a final 
shift will be necessary. The size of the pots for this shift should be 
regulated by the size which it is desirable the plants should attain ; 
10-inch pots will be sufficiently large where moderate sized specimens 
only are requiied ; but for very large masses, 12 or 1 j-inch pots may 
be used. Some first-rate cultivators prefer deep pans for Achimenes, 
but these are better suited for plants to be flowered in a moist, warm 
house, than for those intended to be removed to the greenhouse or con¬ 
servatory during the flowering season. About twelve plants may be 
placed in a 10-inch pot. It will be necessary to maintain a moist 
atmosphere, and keep the house rather close till the plants can lay hold 
of the soil; and water must be carefully supplied during this time, but 
the syringe may be used freely, if the weather happens to be bright. As 
soon as the plants start into free growth, after potting, air may be more 
freely admitted, and a slight shade during the forenoon of sunny days 
will be found beneficial. Varieties of the habit of pedunculata should 
be stopped as soon as they are established in their flowering pots; and 
if it is intended to train them in a formal manner all the kinds should 
be staked before the shoots have become entangled. Tlie stakes should he 
cut off at the height to which the variety is likely to attain ; they should 
be so arranged as to form the frame-work of a handsome specimen, and 
the shoots should be kept carefully tied as they advance in growth. 
When it is supposed that the pots are filled with roots, an occasional 
watering with clear manure water may be given. Indeed, I regularly 
water my Achimenes with weak manure water from the time they are 
well established in their flowering pots till the blooming season is over, 
and I think that the plants are greatly benefited by this teatrnent. If 
it is intended to remove the plants to cooler quarters while they are in 
flower, they should be judiciously and carefully prepared for the change 
by giving more air, and gradually lowering the night temperature as 
mucli as circumstances will allow. When removed they should be 
