116 THE FLORIST. 



near the glass to prevent their becoming drawn ; a slight shading will 

 be required in bright sunny weather, and a genial moist atmosphere 

 must be maintained. 



When well -rooted and in vigorous growth the plants should 

 receive a final shift into pots or pans ; the roots delight to ramble 

 near the surface of the soil, and for this reason I prefer pans for large 

 specimens ; these are from twelve to sixteen inches wide by six 

 inches deep ; over the bottom I place an inch of broken potsherds, 

 and on this a thin layer of fibrous matter to prevent the soil mixing 

 with the drainage. If pots are used, one third of the depth may be 

 safely filled in the same manner. In potting, the ball of soil should 

 be placed as entire as possible in the centre of the pot or pan, suffi- 

 ciently below the top to allow a slight surfacing of mould among the 

 plants when filling up with soil. After completing this operation, 

 remove the plants to their former quarters, where the advantages of 

 light and warmth can be derived ; and encourage a vigorous growth 

 by keeping up a moist atmosphere. As it becomes necessary, atten- 

 tion will be required to tie and otherwise neatly train the branches, 

 so that they may present a compact mass of bloom. Some of the 

 more erect strong-growing kinds may be stopped once or twice during 

 their growth, to preserve a dwarf habit. When the plants are in bloom 

 they must be carefully hardened before removal to a cooler situation, 

 and they should at all times be guarded against currents of cold air. 



After flowering, the plants should be again placed in a warm 

 house, and water gradually withheld so as to mature the tubers. 

 When the soil becomes quite dry and the foliage decayed, it should 

 be cut off down to the surface of the soil, and the pots should be 

 placed on a dry shelf secure from frost, where they may remain until 

 required for the following season. 



The soil most suitable for the growth of the Achimenes is, equal 

 parts sandy loam, peat, and well- decomposed cow-dung, adding a 

 liberal supply of sharp clean sand. The loam and peat should be 

 broken into small pieces, the cow-dung sifted, and all well mixed 

 together previous to use. For the more slender and dwarf kinds, 

 as Longiflora and its varieties, I substitute leaf-soil for cow- dung, 

 which renders the soil of a lighter texture ; during the later stages of 

 growth, watering with clear guano-water once a w^eek will encourage 

 the plants to progress rapidly, and also improve the size and depth 

 of colour of the flowers. W. Cox. 



CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES. 



The season has now arrived when these will require especial care 

 and attention. Up to the present time our stock has never given us 

 so little trouble, and never since we have grown Carnations and Pico- 

 tees have we had plants in finer health. The stock generally is all 

 that can be desired ; yet we hear on all sides, "Was there ever such a 

 spring as this before ?" For dryness, perhaps not ; therefore it is evident 

 that Carnations prefer being dry so long as the cold lasts ; after which 



