32 
THE FLORIST. 
them the benefit of moderate showers coming with a southerly or 
westerly wind, 
TOP-DRESSING, OR EARTHING-UP. 
This is an important part of their culture, and should be done as 
early as possible. Take advantage of the first week of the month, if 
the weather is favourable, so that the young fibres may establish 
themselves in the fresh compost. 
The soil for this purpose should be of a good quality, rather 
retentive, and sifted moderately fine. Equal parts of decomposed 
sheep and cow-dung, and medium loam, or the same proportions of 
night-soil, cow-dung, and loam, adding a quart of silver sand to every 
peck of compost. In the absence of any of the above materials, 
horse-manure may be substituted. Before commencing, every thing 
should be in readiness, such as clean garden-pots, number-sticks, 
crocks broken small, &c. Remove as much of the surface as you 
can without disturbing the roots ; and while the stem of the plant 
is exposed, take off all offsets that are fit: this is best done by 
breaking them out; but if you find them tearing the bark too low, 
use a keen knife to assist you; and before you earth-up the plant, 
fill the holes the offsets have occasioned with a little pounded char¬ 
coal. Select the largest and most promising of your young stock; 
and if necessary shift them into larger-sized pots. 
OFFSETS. 
This month will be found the best time to insure making stock 
from the increase of these plants. Every offset that has shed a few 
leaves, and formed a small shoulder or stem (however short it may 
be), should be taken off with or without roots ; for those without 
will root readily at this season, and make finer plants than if left 
on the mother-plant till the month of May ; for if taken now, they 
have four months growing-time before them. If left till May, they 
have but a short time to establish themselves ; for about that time 
of the year the plants become naturally faint, and cease growing till 
August. Proper compost for offsets may be made of three parts 
leaf-mould, one of sandy loam, and one of silver sand. Well crock 
the pots, and fill with the above soil, pressing it rather close, to 
render it a little firm, and plant the offsets (those without fibres) 
round the sides, three or five in each pot, according to their size. 
Sixty size or 3-inch pots are very convenient for this purpose. 
Treat them as follows : 
Plunge the pots in a south border up to their rims, taking care 
to place a tile or slate beneath to prevent the worms entering; give 
a little water, and cover them with carnation blooming-glasses, which 
will hold three or four pots, put the glasses down securely to keep 
out slugs, &c.; they will not require shading or covering during this 
month; occasionally look over them, and give water when necessary : 
they require but little till rooted. 
The offsets that are well rooted may be potted separately; and 
those with only a fibre or two, round the sides of a sixty or forty- 
