22 
THE FLORISTS JOURNAL. 
before remarked, it is utterly impossible to recover them from such 
treatment. If the plants at any time show signs of mildew, which 
is almost the only disease they are subject to,—if taken early, a 
little sulphur strewed over the affected parts will speedily 
eradicate it. The best method of propagating these plants ia by 
cuttings. This is a very nice operation :—the cuttings should be 
taken off just as they complete their growth, choosing those with 
firm, yet not old wood ; they should be from half an inch to an 
inch and a half in length, according to the sorts : take the leaves 
off about half way up the stem ; but great care must be taken not 
to wound the stem ; a very sharp knife is the best instrument: 
cut the end of the stem square off, close to the bottom ; and having 
filled a fiat pan with silver-sand, observing to keep a good 
drainage, the same as for the plants, insert the cuttings about half 
their length in the sand, and when full, dip the pan gently into a 
tank or vessel of water until it rises over the sand, yet not so high 
as to wet the leaves of the cuttings ; this will fix them firmly, and 
avoid the danger of fogging, so likely to occur when watered over 
head with a pot : this done, fit a small bell-glass over them, and 
place them in a very moderate heat; bottom heat is not ab¬ 
solutely necessary, but if a very gentle one is applied, it is a great 
stimulant to early striking. Not more than one species should be 
planted in each pot, as it often happens that one sort will strike in 
seven or eight weeks, while another will require perhaps as many 
months ; they must be carefully shaded from the sun, and the 
glass wiped with a dry cloth every day : if bottom heat is used, 
they will not require any water till they are struck ; but if without, 
a little may be requisite occasionally, applied the same as re- 
eommended for the first watering. As soon as they are struck, 
the glasses should be removed for an hour or two every day till 
they will bear it without ; then pot them off, using small thumb 
pots, and a very sandy soil, keeping them in the same heat for a 
month or so, and then inure them by degrees to bear the open air. 
Another method of propagation is by seed ; and, by cross impregna¬ 
tion, new varieties are obtained. This requires much precision in the 
execution :—for this purpose, the stronger growing kinds should be 
chosen for the parent or seed-bearing plant, crossing with the 
dwarf or slow-growing kinds, always selecting those of opposite 
colours or distinct habits ; if the seed is ripe by August, it may be 
sown at once, but if not ripe till after that time, I prefer keeping 
