278 THE FLORIST. 



ground for a time, viz. more seed, and a shorter winter to preserve 

 the roots in. There is no difficulty in keeping many kinds sound 

 through the winter : those with large stems and long stringy 

 tubers decay first. C. Turner. 



Royal Nursery, Slough. 



Epacrises. — It is expedient to protect them from the heavy rains, 

 blustering winds, and frosty nights, which seldom fail to visit us 

 at uncertain intervals during this month. Lose no time, therefore, 

 in removing your Epacrises to their winter quarters, giving them 

 all the air practicable night and day, except in the event of a 

 probable frost : water somewhat sparingly. Earlier bloom may 

 be obtained without injury to the constitutional energies of the 

 plant by a temperature for the time being of about 65° or 70°. 

 Whitehill, Newton Abbott, Devon. W. H. Story. 



Ericas. — The weather this year has been much more congenial to 

 this rather fickle class of plants than the last, engendering but 

 little or no mildew, and perfectly ripening the new wood. This 

 satisfactory state of things (so different from last October) will 

 place the mind of the cultivator at comparative ease for the wel- 

 fare of his plants during their winter confinement. It will be 

 desirable at once to house the plants ; they are in excellent order 

 now : another fortnight's exposure may perhaps do much mis- 

 chief. We cannot tell whether the next four-and-twenty hours 

 may bring tempestuous winds, heavy rains, or sharp frosts; there- 

 fore be prepared, and set about at once cleaning, weeding, arrang- 

 ing all stray branches, and removing the plants to the heathery, 

 keeping the house as cool and airy as the weather will permit. 

 Should any symptoms of mildew present themselves in the course 

 of your operations, scatter a little sulphur vivum over the part 

 affected. For a more explicit account of treating this disease, see 

 No. IX. p. 254 of this publication. Gradually diminish the supply 

 of water. 



Whitehill, Newton Abbott, Devon. W. H. Story. 



Fuchsias. — The blooming season is now on the wane, though my 

 seedlings are still looking very gay, and will for a month to come. 

 Those plants that are intended for early blooming should now be 

 spurred back, placed in a cool situation, and more water withheld 

 than is sufficient to keep life in them in an ordinary way : this 

 operation may be deferred till the plant shews symptoms of exhaus- 

 tion. Keep a watchful eye upon your ripening seed-pods, or Master 

 Cock Robin will help himself to them. I have found it necessary 

 to place a choice pod in a small net bag to preserve it from this 

 little robber. Any seedlings that have bloom set, and are become 

 stunted and pot-bound, may be stimulated with a dose of weak 

 guano-water. 



Whitehill, Newton Abbott, Devon. W. H. Story. 



Pansies. — No time should be lost in completing the planting, either 

 seedlings or named flowers, for spring bloom ; but should the 



