20 THE FLORIST. 



master, if he had but had my appetite and my teeth, for they made 

 bones of nothing. Two years I had of this dull work; for I'd a 

 proud heart, and did not care to go among the boys in livery that 

 were with the horses, for they were a bad lot : and I've noticed all 

 my life that horses seem to spoil any body that has much to do with 

 them, whether master or man. 



[To be continued.] 



OUR MONTHLY REMEMBRANCER. 



Under the above title we intend to give our readers from month to month such 

 general instructions as, we trust, Avill not only be found useful to them in 

 their floral avocations, but as will also afford them some little assistance in 

 the routine management of their gardens and greenhouses ; and in pursuance 

 of our object we will at once begin with 



Auriculas. Mild weather sometimes causes them to push up their 

 bloom-stems. It is not advisable to cut them off; if allowed to 

 remain, the greater number will survive the winter, and flower finely 

 at the proper season. Protect from wet ; but if the weather is not 

 frosty, allow a free circulation of air during the day. The frames 

 need only be closed when harsh drying easterly and northerly winds 

 prevail. Draw on the lights about three or four o'clock in the 

 afternoon. Give plants that are getting dry a little water; and to- 

 wards the end of the month water may be given more freely, for 

 the fibres by that time will be moving. Sow seed, the earlier the 

 better. The best soil for it is three parts leaf- mould and one of 

 silver-sand ; it should be passed through a fine sieve, for on the first 

 germinating of the seeds, they have not strength enough to penetrate 

 a close soil. Drain well. The pans may be filled one-third of their 

 depth with potsherds broken rather small, then filled up to within 

 one inch of the top with any good sweet compost well shaken down ; 

 finishing with the leaf-mould and sand. The surface being levelled 

 and slightly pressed, and the seed being regularly distributed, it 

 should also be pressed into the compost sufficiently to bury it level 

 with the surface, and be thinly covered with leaf-mould and sand, 

 not deeper than the thickness of three sheets of writing-paper. Place 

 the seed-pans in a western or north-western comer of the garden, 

 protected (in a cold frame, or under a hand-glass) from heavy and 

 moderate rains ; but keep the soil in a continued moist state, or the 

 seed will not swell. Water with a very fine rose, and at every oppor- 

 tunity allow it to receive light misty showers ; or, if such occur, a 

 fall of snow now and then will be still more beneficial. 



Calceolarias. Cut oflf all fogged and decayed foliage, and keep 

 free from insects. Shift all seedlings when the pots are filled with 

 roots, and frequently lift and examine plants of both sorts kept in 

 frames ; because without lifting you will not detect any mischief that 

 may be going on at the neck of the plant. 



Carnations and Picotees. The soil should be frequently turned, 

 and exposed to all weathers, except heavy rain and snow. Give all 



