150 THE FLORIST. 



for the health of the plant, as it is for its neat appearance. If 



we happen to have much rain, raise the pots from the ground on 

 strips of wood. 



Royal Nursery, Slough. C. Turner. 



Cinerarias. — Plenty of air, shading from bright sunshine, watering, 

 and keeping down insects, are the only things now required. 

 Stoke Newington. A. Kendall. 



Dahlias. — Carry out the operations recommended last month, and 

 repot into 4-inch pots such as are intended to bloom early. Plants 

 received from the nursery should not remain a day without being 

 repotted. Place them in gentle heat for a short time, and then 

 harden in a cold frame. Free from slugs ; fumigate if green-fly 

 appears. 



Royal Nursery, Slough. C Turner. 



Epacrises. — If the suggestions offered in the Number of last month 

 be not as yet acted upon, lose no more time ; for as all new 

 growth on the summit of old leggy wood will have (or ought) to 

 be cut away with it, much unnecessary exhaustion will be avoided, 

 and a larger amount of vigorous blooming wood will be secured 

 for another year ; and, what in my opinion is still more impor- 

 tant, the foundation will be preserved of a compact, handsome 

 specimen. Prepare the plants for their summer quarters, by gra- 

 dually hardening off towards the end of the month, or as soon as 

 the new growth has arrived at sufficient consistency to bear ex- 

 posure.- I have found Epacrises to break equally strong, or nearly 

 so, in a two -light box, kept close except for a few hours in the 

 middle of a warm day ; shading with a mat from the sun, and 

 using it as a protection from cold at night. 



WhitehilL W. H. Story. 



Ericas. — The autumn-blooming varieties, as well as stock plants, 

 having ere this received their annual shift, and the spring- 

 blooming ones being in the full radiance of their floral loveliness, 

 the admiring cultivator may for a while rest on his oars to enjoy 

 the reward of past labours ; not, however, omitting to administer 

 to their daily wants a due amount of water, abundant circulation 

 of air, and shading from the direct rays of the sun ; fail not also 

 to cast an inquisitive eye over each plant when watering, to 

 detect any insidious mildew that may possibly present itself; 

 a timely application of a pinch of sulphur vivum may prevent 

 the future disfigurement of otherwise a fine specimen ; for be it 

 known, there is no means of restoring lost foliage, consequently 

 a lasting memento of neglect is ever before the eye. 



WhitehilL W. H. Story. 



N.B. — In penning the monthly Calendar for treating the Erica, 

 I have endeavoured to recollect all that may be necessary to 

 enable the young cultivator to treat this somewhat fickle genus 

 successfully. Should I have overlooked or touched too obscurely 

 upon any point, I shall feel much pleasure in supplying such an 

 omission. 



