4 THE FLORIST. 



quantity of " forced" plants is limited; with a few Roses, Hyacinths,- 

 Narcissus, &c., tliey are well adapted to mix; and for larger groups, 

 with the addition of such plants as Euphorbia fulgens, Justicias, &c., 

 not only will less plants be required, but the effect will be better, and 

 the trouble less, as it obviates the necessity of using so much moss for 

 rsufacing the parts. 



Of Howernig i)lants, there is no class which possesses that richness 

 of colours so general amongst the ( 'rchids ; but, unless large and well- 

 grown specimens, they have a stiff, naked appearance; but a plant even 

 with only a few flowers will look well when placed amongst Ferns, their 

 characteristics being so opposite as to naturally require the assistance 

 of each other. 



Ferns and Lycopodiums are, most of them, of easy culture : most of 

 the Ferns delightmg in a fibrous compost of loam and peat in equal 

 proportions, with a small quantity of leaf-soil and sand. For the Lyco- 

 podiums a lighter composition is necessary ; some nice fibrous peat, 

 sphagnum moss, and leaf-soil in equal quantities, with a little sand, will 

 grow them luxuriantly. 



During their growing season (from February till August), they 

 should be carefully shaded Irom bright sunshine, and the atmosphere 

 kept moist, at a temperature of from 55° to 70°, for most of the tro- 

 pical species. During the autumn and winter they may be subjected 

 to a much lower temperature, provided they have properly matured 

 their growth; to ensure this, they must be inured to light and air fr m 

 the early part of September, when a temperature of about 40° to 45° 

 will be quite warm enough. If they are required fir winter decoration, 

 of course it will be necessary to subject them to different treatment, in 

 order to maintain their fronds in a fresh green state. 



Many of the British species, and others that are hardy, from various 

 parts of the world, are equally beautiful when seen as large specimens, 

 either in pots or planted out. 



J. Shuter. 



REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR. 



Amidst the din of war, and consequent pressure on the energies of the 

 country which the calamities of war entail, it is satisfactory to record 

 the fact that, hitherto, the pursuits with which this Journal is con- 

 nected have felt none of that depression which might reasonably have 

 been expected. On the contrary, although both Horticulture and Flo- 

 riculture are professions especially of a peacefid character, and in a 

 great measure dependent on a high state of civilization and luxury, yet 

 beyond the severe trials caused by the income tax and the high price 

 of food, no diminution has taken place in the interest felt for gardening 

 in general ; and we may safely affirm that the nursery trade (a sure 

 index of the prosperity of Horticulture), has not been so brisk for years 

 past as in the one just closed. While this is true for general nursery 

 stock, the demand for all the useful and popular plants of the day has 



