THE FLORIST. §5 



Of sets. — Give air by degrees to the rooted offsets taken last 

 month before finally exposing them. Many will have 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. 



Seedlings. — Transplant while in the seed-leaf, particularly if 

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

 penetrated the soil ; and if not transplanted, they will perish. 

 Keep the soil continually moist, and well protect them from the 

 mid-day sun. 

 . Peckham, Surrey. J. T. Neville. 



Calceolarias. — General attention is required to specimen plants. 

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

 and leaves. If the weather is brilliant, as it sometimes is in 

 March, shade the plants in the middle of the day from powerful 

 sunlight. Seedlings should be shifted as they may require. If 

 in the pots they are to bloom in, so much the better. 



W. H. Holmes. 



Carnations and Picotees. — If the weather is open, commence 

 re-potting for bloom immediately. The mould and pots having 

 been kept dry, as before recommended, this important part will 

 be done with 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 re- potting. Attend daily 

 to watering as long as they are in small pots. 



Nursery, Slough. C. Turner. 



Cinerarias. — The extraordinary mildness of the season has produced 

 a corresponding vigour of growth ; and where strict attention has 

 been paid to air and water, the plants will have amply repaid the 

 labour bestowed upon them. 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 

 given will greatly assist them, both in bringing out their colours 

 and maintaining the plants in health ; indeed, the most trying 

 season for all plants is when they are in full flower, if we except 

 the time of perfecting their seed. Watch narrowly for the green- 

 fly and the mildew. Fumigate, or sprinkle with a solution of 

 tobacco, for the first. All amateurs who grow but a few plants 

 would do well to keep the following receipt by them. Pour one 

 quart of boiling water upon one ounce of shag tobacco ; let it 

 stand until cold, and then strain and bottle it for use : it will 

 keep good for a twelvemonth, if not wanted. One sprinkling of 

 this will destroy the green-fly {Aphides) upon any plant without 

 the least injury to the plant itself. The best method of applying 

 it, is to take the plant in one hand, and holding it with its head 

 downwards, with a feather or brush, to sprinkle the tobacco-water 

 upon the under parts of the leaves, or, if the plants are not in 

 flower, all over them. This, if the tobacco-water is perfectly 



