84 THE FLORIST. 



In the Cytisus tribe are the Cytisus alius, or White Portugal 

 Broom ; the Pink Portugal Broom, this has merely the edges of its 

 white flowers tinged with pink ; the Cream-coloured Broom, and the 

 Yellow Broom : these all succeed when grafted on the Laburnum, 

 and form most beautiful small Lawn Trees. Their shoots require to 

 be shortened annually in March, or they are apt to become straggling 

 in their growth and unhealthy ; but with only common care and 

 culture, they remain healthy for several years, and in spring are 

 covered with flowers. The Cream-coloured Broom is remarkably 

 robust, and richly deserves its name. The white and pink are of a 

 more refined habit, but exceedingly graceful and beautiful. These 

 species and varieties of the Broom were formerly arranged under the 

 genus Spartium ; modern botanists have placed them under Cytisus ; 

 to common observers they appear very different. 



Veritas. 

 (To be continued.) 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 



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 ; it will greatly strengthen and improve 

 them, and ultimately tend to increase the size and quality of the 

 blossoms. 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 con- 

 tinually moist ; for, as the evaporation passes off, a large portion 

 will be absorbed by the foliage, which in a great measure coun- 

 teracts the effects of drying winds. 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 that 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 off 

 as often as possible, and remain so till 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. 



