THE FLORIST. 



27 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



At the last meeting in Regent Street, Messrs. Veitch produced cut 

 branches of Fuchsia spectabilis, stated to have been cut from a plant 

 growing in their conservatory border, and which had been in full 

 flower three months. It still maintains its high character. Mr. 

 Kendall, of Stoke Newington, sent a seedling Cineraria, in the way 

 of " Beauty of Newington," named " Queen of the Isles." The plant 

 exhibited was finely flowered, and was stated to be a cutting from a 

 seedling of the present year. It had never been out of heat. Early 

 in October it was subjected to a minimum temperature of 76° by 

 day, and 60° by night ; proving that the Cineraria may be success- 

 fully forced to flower at this season of the year ; a valuable fact, for 

 what plant can be more beautiful or cheering during the dull winter 

 months ? 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 



Auriculas. — The extreme mildness of the recent months has caused 

 many of these plants to push up their bloom-stems. It will not 

 be advisable to cut them off, for, if allowed to remain, the greater 

 number will survive the winter, and flower fine at the proper 

 season. Continue to protect the plants from wet, but allow a 

 free circulation of air through the day, if the weather is not 

 frosty. The frames need only be closed when harsh, drying, 

 easterly and northerly winds prevail. Draw on the lights about 

 three or four o'clock in the afternoon, as the weather may be 

 more or less congenial. Look the plants over, and give those 

 that are getting dry a little water, and, towards the latter end of 

 the month, water may be given more freely, the fibres by that 

 time will be moving, and require a greater supply. 



J. T. Neville. 



Auricula seed should be sown this month, the earlier the better. 

 If the compost is not ready, it should be prepared forthwith, and 

 the pans or boxes washed clean before using them a second time. 

 The soil should also be carefully cleared of worms, or they will 

 commit much mischief among the young plants when they com- 

 mence their growth. The most approved soil for Auricula seed 

 is, three parts leaf-mould and one of silver-sand; it should be 

 passed through a fine sieve, for, on the first germinating of the 

 seeds, they have not strength enough to penetrate a close soil. 

 Good drainage is essential. The pans may be filled one-third of 

 their depth with potsherds, broken rather small, then filled up to 

 within an inch of the top with any good and sweet compost, well 

 shaken down ; finish with the leaf-mould and sand. The surface 

 being levelled, and slightly pressed, and the seed being regularly 



