268 STATE. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ularly it is so. To have it flower in winter, it should be exposed to the full 

 summer sun without water. Repot in August, shaking off the old soil, and 

 place the pots in an exposed position until they are taken indoors at the 

 approach of frost. The Calla likes an abundance of water and light. The 

 Cyclamen thrives well in an atmosphere where other plants suffer, as it seems 

 to be but little affected by the impure air of our rooms. Eepot the bulbs in 

 September or October, placing them in their pots so tliat the crown of the bulb 

 will be just above the surface of the soil ; stand in a sunny window and water 

 while the plant is in bloom and the leaves green. After the flowers have faded, 

 and the leaves show a yellowish tinge, gradually withhold water and place the 

 pot in a shady position out of doors for the summer, but never allow the bulbs 

 to shrivel. 



The Pelargonium. 



Under this head I include the whole group of geraniums in general cultiva- 

 tion, but can only particularly notice what is commonly known as the Lady 

 Washington geranium. This plant after flowering should be placed out of 

 doors for some weeks to ripen its wood, giving no more water than will keep its 

 leaves from wilting ; you must then prune back to two or three buds of the old 

 wood, keep rather dry for a week or so, when they may be watered ; re-pot into 

 smaller sized pots; when the young shoots have grown one inch, trimming 

 back any straggling roots, and in February transfer to a larger pot in which it 

 will flower. AH varieties of the pelargonium are readily grown from cuttings 

 planted in July or August, or from seed sown in spring. The variegated, 

 scented zonales and ivy-leaf geraniums are all desirable, especially the zonales, 

 which are valuable for winter blooming. Fuchsias should be brought from the 

 cellar in February or March, and pruned back closely; water sparingly until 

 growth begins, then transfer into smaller pots — using larger ones until it is 

 desired to have them flower ; after flowering, withhold water and return them 

 to the cellar during -winter. The fuchsia likes partial shade, rich soil, and 

 plenty of water. Carnations of the tree kind bloom freely in the window. 

 Cuttings may be rooted at anytime during winter; pinch out the center of the 

 young j)lant, and plant in good soil out of doors in spring; pot in September, 

 before severe frost. It is necessary to start with young plants every spring. 

 Oleanders are readily grown from cuttings in a phial of water. We must prune 

 and treat this plant as we wish some of the shoots to flower this year, and some 

 the next ; or all one year and none the next. Whether a plant blooms every 

 year, or every second year, the flowers can only be produced this spring and 

 summer at the ends of shoots grown and matured last season. Here in May is 

 a plant with two shoots; one shows signs of flowering, the other not; I cut 

 the flowerless shoot down to near its base ; from thence I got two or three 

 shoots for next year ; when done flowering, I cut that shoot down also, so as to 

 obtain a further succession of shoots ; these are induced to grow as much as 

 possible until September, after which keep in a low temperature, and give but 

 little water until growth recommences in April. 



The Rose. 



The everblooming class are best for house culture. Roses for winter bloom- 

 ing are usually grov/n in pots all summer; but two or three year old plants 

 may be grown and flowered in the ground all summer, and if potted early in 

 September, and kept from wilting, they will lill their pots with healthy fibres 



