1375. ] 
CELOSIAS AS DECORATIVE AND EXHIBITION TLANTS. 
99 
four feet liigli may be grown in these. If space is at command, larger plants may 
be grown in 10-in. or 12-in. pots. The most suitable compost is equal parts of 
fibry loam, and thoroughly rotten manure and leaf-soil, with a free admixture of 
charcoal and sand to insure porosity, and it is necessary to use thoroughly-drained 
pots. The plants must be kept plunged in bottom-heat during the early stages 
of growth, and freely ventilated to prevent them from drawing, a well-furnished 
foundation being a great point to attain. The plants must be liberally syringed 
morning and afternoon, so as to keep under both spider and thrips, to the former of 
which they are particularly subject, and these quickly destroy the foliage when 
not subdued. As the plants attain size, a light airy greenhouse will be found the 
most suitable place in which to grow them, care being taken to harden them off 
progressively, previous to placing them in it. As the pots become filled with 
roots, they will be benefited by liberal applications of manure-water, until they 
show bloom, when they may be transferred to the conservatory. A successional 
sowing for winter-blooming may be made in April or early in May. 
The dwarf forms of Cockscombs are very frequently seen exhibited at our 
Local Exhibitions grown to really marvellous proportions, such as is represented 
by a remarkably fine variety, showing great density of crest, with a dwarf com¬ 
pact habit, in the accompanying illustration [for which we are indebted to Messrs. 
Sutton]. The cultivation of these differs somewhat from the above, inasmuch as 
they require a greater amount of heat, and of care in getting the plants to show 
their crests when small. To insure this, the sped should be sown in March, and 
the young plants should be potted-off singly into small pots as soon as they are fit 
to handle, and plunged in a frame with a brisk bottom-lieat near the glass, giving 
air to prevent drawing until they show bloom. They should then be potted on, 
with liberal drainage, using a rich compost of rotten dung, leaf-soil, and loam in 
k 2 
