Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/158

148 for if they suffer from neglect or bad management of any kind they quickly perish. They are propagated by means of cuttings; but the latter are difficult to strike, and the amateur will act wisely in purchasing thrifty plants in five-inch pots. Fibrous peat with which a moderate proportion of silver sand, and either small crocks or nodules of charcoal have been added, will be the most suitable compost to use. They must not be overpotted, and after they have grown into specimens a shift every second year will be sufficient to maintain them in a healthy state. Especial care must be taken to have the pots thoroughly clean, the draining perfect, the peat of the finest quality, and to press the soil with an equal degree of firmness all round the sides of the pot. A light airy position is essential to all seasons of the year, but more especially during the autumn and winter months. The soil must be maintained in a moderately moist condition at all times, and in the application of the water, care must be taken to ensure every portion of the ball being properly moistened, and no more must be applied until the soil has become rather dry again. The mode of growth will indicate the proper system of training, and this must be done some time during the winter. The flowers are produced at the points of the shoots, and when they begin to fade they should be removed by cutting them off, with a portion of the stem, just above the young shoots.

.These are all of moderate growth, and with but a very small amount of trouble neat specimens may be produced. They require a mixture of two parts peat, one part fibrous loam, and a plentiful addition of sharp silver sand. They are propagated freely by means of cuttings, provided the points of short-jointed shoots are selected when the wood has become rather firm. They require a light airy position, and when employed in the decoration of the conservatory care must be taken to avoid putting them too far from the glass, or where they will not enjoy a fair share of air. They require the same care in watering and repotting as other delicate-rooted hard-wooded plants. It will be necessary to stop the young shoots once or twice when the plants are in a small state, but after they are shifted into five-inch pots the growth must be regulated with the aid of neat stakes,

.These attractive plants are of free growth,