THE FLORIST. 149 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR MAY. 



Auriculas. — The flowering time of -these plants is now on the 

 decline, and in some localities quite over. I have ever found 

 Auriculas make the strongest plants, and produce the finest 

 blossoms, when potted immediately after blooming. They grow 

 most vigorously, and, while pushing up their new hearts, at 

 the same time put forth the- principal spring roots. As soon 

 as the beauty of the bloom is past, the old plants should have a 

 thorough shift into clean pots and fresh soil. Shake out the 

 greatest part of the old compost from between the roots (more 

 particularly those that have an unhealthy appearance), and ex- 

 amine the tap-root. If long and aged, break off a joint or two, 

 and leave only two years' growth. The plant will thrive much 

 better than when encumbered with an old inactive stem. Dip 

 the ends in pounded charcoal before replanting. The young 

 stock large enough for shifting into full-sized pots will not re- 

 quire so much reducing ; but they flourish better the greater 

 the portion of fresh soil they have. In repotting, carefully divide 

 the fibres, that the soil may run between them ; as you add the 

 compost, raise them with a small stick where they are crowded. 

 It is important that the compost be in a proper state of mois- 

 ture, that it be neither too wet nor too dry ; the best test I can 

 give as a guide is, to squeeze a portion firmly in the hand ; 

 if it adhere together, so that, on pressing the lump with the 

 fingers, it falls to pieces readily, it may be considered fit, and will 

 not shrink from the sides of the pots. Auriculas put out for 

 seed should not be disturbed till the seed is ripe. Repotting 

 must be deferred till the month of August ; at the same time a 

 refresher at this season will be serviceable ; give the plants a top- 

 dressing without disturbing the fibres. 

 Seedlings. — See last Number. 

 Peckham. J. T. Neville. 



Calceolarias. — Seedlings will now be coming freely into bloom, 

 rewarding the amateur for his previous care, in the continued 

 interest they create, even if no novelties are obtained. Keep an 

 eye upon the foliage of your specimen, for the smallest indication 

 of the presence of green-fly. Fumigate them you must before 

 they begin to bloom ; you cannot do it afterwards, but at the 

 cost of losing your flowers ; and be sure you do not, after this 

 precautionary measure, introduce fresh plants amongst them with- 

 out blowing some tobacco-smoke over them through the fumigat- 

 ing bellows. 



Sudbury, Derbyshire. W. H. Holmes. 



Carnations and Picotees should be tied up neatly to proper 

 sticks that will support the bloom. It will be inconvenient to 

 fumigate them now, when they are in large pots ; clean the plants 

 of any green-fly that may appear on them, therefore, with a small 

 brush. As the old foliage decays, cut it ofT; this is as necessary 



