68 THE FLORIST. 



OUR MONTHLY REMEMBRANCER. 



Auriculas. From the early part of this month till the pips are In 

 danger of injury from rain (which will not be the case while the calyx 

 covers the tube or pipe). Auriculas should be allowed the benefit of 

 warm showers. Keep up a good supply of moisture ; the demand 

 will be greater daily ; and in harsh drying windy weather give water 

 between the pots, that the bottom of the frame may be continually 

 moist. By the middle of the month, or thereabout, the trusses will 

 have risen out of the hearts of the plants. At this period plants 

 intended for exhibition should be selected. If for London shows, be 

 sure they have seven pips. Give the preference to plants with level 

 trusses, the buds well formed, round, and uniform in size. As soon 

 as it can be safely done, cut away any ill-shaped pips, such as are 

 likely to disfigure the symmetry of the truss ; and as soon as the 

 trusses have so advanced in growth that the pips begin to separate, 

 they may be thinned out by removing a few of the smaller ones least 

 likely to be useful. During the day, let the glasses be drawn oflf as 

 soon as possible, and remain so as late in the evening as convenient, 

 if the weather be mild and open ; but if cold and severe, cover early 

 with sufficient matting, or other material, to secure them from frost. 

 Uncover in the morning as soon as the atmosphere is congenial. 

 Towards the end of the month, shading for an hour or two in the 

 middle of the day will be necessary, if the sun be shining powerfully. 

 Give air by degrees to the rooted offsets taken last month before 

 finally repotting them. Many will put forth new fibres by this time. 

 Examine the unrooted ones also, and give water when necessary, but 

 do not exceed moderate moisture. Destroy slugs, &c. under the 

 glasses. Transplant seedlings w'hile in the seed-leaf, particularly if 

 sown thick. Numbers will be found on the surface, not having pene- 

 trated the soil ; and if not transplanted they will perish. Keep the 

 soil continually moist, and well protect them from the mid- day sun. 



Calceolarias. General attention is required to specimen plants. 

 Examine them frequently about the surface of the pot, both stem and 

 leaves. If the w^eather is brilliant, as it sometimes is in IMarch, shade 

 the plants in the middle of the day from powerful sunlight. Seed- 

 lings should be shifted as they may require. If in the pots they are 

 to bloom in, so much the better. 



Carnations and Picotees. If the weather is open, commence 

 repotting for bloom immediately. The mould and pots having been 

 kept dry, as before recommended, this important part will be done 

 wdth much less trouble, and will give the plants a better chance. 

 Begin with those that are strong and healthy. The weakly kinds 

 should be deferred. If possible, shelter them from bad weather, 

 should it set in after the repotting. Attend daily to w^atering as long 

 as they are in small pots. 



Cinerarias. Shift those plants that are becoming too large for 

 the pots ; where this is inconvenient, a larger supply of water must 

 be given. A little weak manure- water occasionally will greatly assist 



