I have plants of Calceolarias, Pelargoniums, Geraniums, and Fuchsias, which I want to exhibit at a horticultural show the last week in August. The Pelargoniums and Fuchsias are in 8-inch pots, the Calceolarias in 5-inch pots. I wish to know if I am to go on repotting the plants, and stopping the shoots, so as to have a good show of bloom at the right time? And will you state how many weeks before the show I must allow the plants to bloom ? whether you think the blooming of each plant can be deferred till the time at which they are to be exhibited? and also, if a cold frame is the proper place in which to keep the plants till they are wanted for show 1 Annie Marris.

[Pelargoniums, both show and fancy kinds, if they have not been stopped recently, may have the points of the shoots pinched out at once, tying out the shoots into shape, and keeping the plants well supplied with water, so as to have them in bloom by the end of August. Let them remain in 8-inch pots, for it is a great mistake to over-pot them, as too much pot-room results in a superabundance of foliage and too little flower. If, however, the plants are now "pot-bound" - that is, very full of roots - the plants may be shifted into the next-sized pots, taking care that the pots are not much larger; but do not do this unless you fear the foliage may turn yellow for want of pot-room before the end of August. Rather place your plants in pans, with a little moss and manure in them, so that the plants may root through into the pans, and moisture be retained at the roots. Pick off the blooms at present, and keep the plants both growing and shaded from the sun; and about a month or five weeks before the day of exhibition, according to the appearance of the buds, place the plants close to the glass, exposed to air and light, but keeping up a supply of water. A little thoughtful attention then will soon lead you to form an opinion whether you will hit the right time.

You cannot do better than adopt a similar plan for zonal Pelargoniums (what you term Geraniums). If you are growing Tricolor and Bronze variegated Pelargoniums, do not over-pot them, but keep them close to the glass, well watered, and well ventilated, in order to get growth and colour in the leaves. If you want large specimen Fuchsias, re-pot into 10 or 12 inch pots at once. Grow these on in a shaded moist house or deep pit, syringing often, and stopping them until the middle of June; then push them on into growth, and, as soon as the buds form, gradually harden them off for the exhibition, and, say, for three weeks before, expose them to plenty of light, with adequate ventilation, to get size and colour of bloom. Use weak manure-water or Standen's manure for them, and see that the plants get plenty of water.

Your Calceolarias (we presume they are shrubby kinds) may be re-potted at once into 8-inch pots, and treat them like Pelargoniums, taking especial care to keep them growing freely and free from green-fly.

You can grow the Pelargoniums and Calceolarias in a cold frame; the Fuchsias as directed].