rERRUARY, 47 



If it is desired to encourage growth in some of tlie inmates, as will 

 probably be the case, such plants should be collected and placed 

 together at one end of the house, where very little air should be 

 given, and a little fire-heat might be used, which, with a little man- 

 agement, might be made to maintain a temjierature at the warm end, 

 such as vvould greatly assist in forwarding the progress of the plants ; 

 and air might be admitted to those in the cool end of the house, so 

 as to prevent their being affected by the lire-heat. Plants that are 

 pot-bound may now be shifted into larger pots ; but remember that 

 upon the proper performance of this operation depends, in a great 

 measure, future success. It will be advisable after potting to place 

 the plants in the warmest end of the house, in order to encourage 

 them to strike root into the fresh soil. Great care must be observed 

 in Matering newly-potted plants ; if too much is given, the fresh 

 soil will become sodden, in which case the death of the plant is all 

 but certain, and, on the other hand, the old ball may become too dry. 

 A great help towards avoiding both these extremes will be found in 

 raising the new soil about an inch higher than the old ball ; this is 

 best done by placing turfy pieces upon the fresh soil, neatly and 

 closely packed together, and made to stand about an inch higher 

 than the old ball ; these will prevent the water running off through 

 the fresh soil, and will force it to find its way through the ball where 

 the mass of the roots are. Those who are fortunate enough to pos- 

 sess a stock of Japan Lilies — and every amateur should strive to 

 have them — should see that they are potted in fresh soil, as they 

 will soon be making roots ; a few might be encouraged to start into 

 growth, so as to have them in flower some time previous to their 

 ordinary blooming season. The general stock will require more 

 water this month than last ; water only when necessary, and then 

 thoroughly ; and endeavour to water during the early part of the 

 day, when air can be given, to prevent damp settling ujjon and 

 spoiling the flowers. 



Pansies. If the weather be severe, protect them with inverted 

 flower-pots. Repot those for blooming under glass into 7-inch pots, 

 in soil similar to that for blooming Carnations in, but with more 

 sand. If the plant is long, peg it down ; if otherwise, secure it 

 with a small ])iece of deal stick, or they will often be injured by 

 rocking to and fro, for they must be kept open generally, or they 

 will draw. There will be a few vacancies to till up in the beds, and 

 the seedlings will require looking to. 



Pelargoniums. Plants stopped for June flowering will have 

 broken well by this time, and should be shifted, as well as all young 

 stock-plants that have filled their pots with roots. If the latter are 

 in 4 -inch pots, shift into a (J-inch size ; if they were struck from 

 cuttings of last summer, it is as large as they require to bloom in. 

 In shifting, rub off the outside and top of the ball. Plants which 

 were finally shifted in autumn will require thorough watering, in 

 order to moisten the ball throughout : this is of much importance. 

 Seedlings as last month. 



Pinks. Press the soil to those that have been loosened by frosts. 

 In severe weather give extra protection to delicate varieties. 



