THE PELAHGONIUM. 
189 
be omitted; as the plants break into new growths they should 
be tied out, so as to allow the centre of the plants the chance of 
obtaining air and light, and to equalise the flow of sap to all the 
branches, and further, to enable them to grow equally, the pots 
should be turned round twice a week, that the portion which was 
behind may be brought towards the light, or they grow one¬ 
sided and become dwindled; this must be repeated until just 
before the flowers begin to expand, when it is better to allow 
them to remain stationary, that the blossoms may all face one 
way, and thus be seen together. Just previous to the appearance 
of the flower buds, it will afford the plants some assistance if 
liquid manure be given once or twice in a week; it imparts a deeper 
colour and additional vigour to both leaves and blooms, but we 
would caution the grower against the too frequent use of this 
stimulant; applied moderately as directed, it will be found bene¬ 
ficial, but too much ends, as do all excesses, in mischief. Liquid 
manure is prepared by putting, say half a bushel of fresh horse 
droppings into a tub, and with it nine or ten gallons of water, 
stir it, and let it stand to settle; it should always be used quite 
clear, and if too strong should be diluted till it assumes a pale 
brown colour. 
The plants we have been describing will, with attention, form 
handsome dwarf bushy specimens, producing about half a dozen 
or more trusses of flowers, and when these are expanded, a slight 
shade is necessary to preserve their beauty, and rather more 
water than has usually been given will be required while the 
flowers last. Immediately after the flowering, the plants should 
be cut down, excepting only those desired to bear seed, leaving 
about three joints of the current year’s growth; the pieces taken 
off should be struck, the old plants turned out of the pots, their 
roots trimmed, and after repotting, the whole should be again 
treated exactly as we have before described, beginning by placing 
them in a cool shaded situation out of doors, to grow and prepare 
them for the succeeding winter. The future treatment must, we re¬ 
peat, be in the main just what has been spoken of, with the differ¬ 
ence necessary to be observed with large instead of small plants ; 
thus larger pots and more space will be required by each indi¬ 
vidual, and when arrived at the middle of the spring treatment 
