it has started on the plant. Black-rot is also caused from 
too much water. This condition usually is fatal to gera- 
niums and pelargoniums because sometimes it reaches 
the inside of the entire stem before the rotted condition 
is noticeable. As a rule it commences at the base of the 
root, just below the surface of the soil, and is a direct 
cause of too much moisture. During the spring and 
summer months, when the weather is warm, to produce 
more foilage and quick growth, plenty of water can be 
used, but this should never be done during the fall or 
winter when it is cold, and the plants are in a dormant 
stage. In hot dry climates a little peat can be used in the 
soil to prevent plants from drying. 
FERTILIZER 
The fertilizing of these plants is important. Pelar- 
goniums and geraniums should at no time be grown in 
very rich soil. Certain diseases develop from too much 
fertilizer, and the plants will not bloom well, because 
more foliage will be produced when they are over-fed. 
A well-balance mixture of soil is needed in order to 
produce lovely plants all through the year. Never use 
a fresh rank manure. Be sure it is old and well decayed 
before mixing in soil, or placing near plants. Bone-meal 
is excellent for geraniums and pelargoniums for extra 
feeding, and a small portion of blood-meal is also good 
once or twice a year. There are many very fine fertilizers 
on the market today which are splendid for this pur- 
pose. Liquid fertilizer is fine for potted plants, and it is 
a good idea to give the plants a little drink of this mixed 
in water once a month during the spring and summer 
months. Fertilizer is not needed so frequently through 
the fall and winter months, as this is the time of the year 
the plants are in a dormant state. When feeding with 
liquid fertilizer dilute with water according to directions, 
also do this with blood-meal, so as not to burn the roots 
of the plants. Bone-meal may be used full strength. 
When using a fertilizer for feeding insert a teaspoonful 
or so at the edge of pot, in a small hole. When plants 
are young and just starting in a small sized pot, they do 
not require much fertilizer other than that which is 
mixed in the soil. When shifting plants never use too 
large a pot; about an inch at each shift is sufficient 
(three-inch to four-inch and so on). Before repotting 
place cracked pieces of pottery or gravel at the base of 
pot, for drainage. This is very necessary in pots larger 
than three-inch. Then place a small amount of soil over 
the cracked pieces, and on this put about a teaspoonful 
of bone-meal and blood-meal mixed together or some 
