MARCH. 51 



removed from the potting bench : many kinds do not need such sup- 

 port before the stakes for blooming are placed in the pot ; but, such 

 kinds as Mrs. Barnard, Flora's Garland, &c., are never secure with- 

 out some kind of support. If a sheltered south border is available, 

 place them there on strips of wood for a few weeks after potting. 



For Yellow Picotees we mix a little peat with the soil at the time 

 of preparing the compost, and also more sand than is used for Car- 

 nations or white-ground Picotees. Our soil for Picotees varies but 

 little from that used for Carnations, a little more manure is the only- 

 difference. 



GENERAL EEMARKS FOR THE SEASON. 



Now comes March, with its blustering winds, rocking the trees, and 

 sending the light clouds flying over the face of the heavens. If 

 from the eastward, as they frequently are in this month, do not look 

 for the growth of your plants ; for true is the old saw — 



" When the wind is from the east, 

 'Tis neither good for man nor beast." 



No, nor for plants either. It is, however, most favourable for the 

 production of insects, and amongst them — the gardener's pest — the 

 green-fly. At present there is no known remedy equal to tobacco- 

 smoke ; and pity it is that Brown's Fumigators have not been manu- 

 factured with more of an eye to durability ; for a more economical 

 and useful contrivance has not been produced, to be ruined in cha- 

 racter by bad workmanship. I speak under correction, having found 

 the three I possess very quickly quite out of order. Some amateurs 

 may be tired of the frequent instructions to destroy unsparingly every 

 aphide the eye detects ; but the slightest observation will shew the 

 necessity of doing so. I remember once pointing out to a gardener 

 the quantity disfiguring and destroying his plants ; when he observed, 

 that he " liked to see a good family before he smoked." I ventured 

 to suggest that he would find the destruction of the parents attended 

 with considerable advantage ; but he diff'ered from me ; and soon 

 afterwards I was not surprised to find that his mistress and he had 

 diff^ered also. 



But to the cares of the month. These have been greatly light- 

 ened to the careful and provident amateur. His plants are in fine 

 health, his houses and pots are all clean ; he is, if an exhibitor, pre- 

 pared for the struggle, conscious that if he does not win, he shall 

 merit no disgrace. He is beforehand with his work. As he looks 

 over his stock individually, he sees at once where the knife or a stick 

 is required, — where a plant will be benefited by a shift, or by any of 

 those little nameless attentions which it is a real pleasure to bestow ; 

 and conscious of no neglect in time past, he looks forward with hope 

 to those soft sunny days, when his reward will be found in an abun- 

 dant and beautiful head of bloom. 



Worton Cottage, Isleworth. E. B£CE. 



