SCARLET GERANIUMS. 
163 
the borders at all, they must be potted and carefully tended till 
re-established; to pay for the winter’s nursing. A pit is the best 
place for them, and, in the removal, as many of the fibres should 
be preserved as possible, that the plants may have some organs 
of nutrition, which may be of service when first placed in pots. 
Means to excite these rootlets must be taken through the first 
fortnight, that they may get a hold of the new soil, and the plant 
reconciled to its new position. I would recommend them to be 
kept close and shaded for about that period, after which they 
may be gradually inured to the air, and, by removing decayed 
leaves, and allowing only a small supply of water, they will be¬ 
come properly dormant before it is necessary to shut them up 
much on account of the weather. Such plants being shifted and 
encouraged in spring, turn out large, healthy, and early blooming 
specimens, forming the most conspicuous of the summer occu¬ 
pants of the borders, and in the following autumn are truly 
magnificent. As regards the space they may occupy, I can only 
say, one such plant is more effective than a score of little stunted 
sickly things, as they become when neglected in winter, and 
much less trouble is entailed in the management. 
[As an instance of what may be effected by careful treatment in 
winter, we may mention, half a dozen specimens of the variety 
General Tom Thumb, in the gardens of the Dowager Countess of 
Buckinghamshire, at Charlton, that, under the judicious manage¬ 
ment of Mr. Weeks, have attained an extraordinary size. They are 
grown in tubs, and, we should say (without actual measurement), 
are four feet in diameter, of a circular outline, and so dense, that 
last season it was found necessary to thin the foliage, to allow 
the flower-stems room to rise.] 
Brilliant . A moderately strong-growing variety, with long 
footstalks to the foliage, and medium sized trusses of dark 
orange scarlet flowers. 
Compacta. A dwarf habit, rather small foilage, marked with 
a dark zone or horse-shoe, moderate trusses of pale, dingy scarlet 
flowers, are the characteristics of this variety. 
Comet. This is a strong grower with me, and throws fine 
trusses of pale orange scarlet blossoms. 
Cottage Maid. Strong and erect in habit with ample bright 
