DO THE FLORIST. 



the light and air possible without subjecting them to the direct 

 rays of the sun, sprinkling the floors of the house or pit at times 

 during the day, and using the syringe morning and evening. The 

 green fly and red spider are very apt to find their way to the young 

 shoots ; the first should be destroyed on its first appearance by 

 fumigation, and the latter, should it appear, may be destroyed by 

 adding a small quantity of sulphur to the water with which the 

 plants are syringed for a few times, and also syringe the floor of 

 the house with the same. 



The soil in which the Fuchsia delights is a light rich porous 

 soil, consisting of strong mellow loam one half, well decomposed 

 manure one quarter, leaf-mould one quarter, with a good sprinkling 

 of sharp sand ; it should not be sifted, but well mixed and broken 

 together. 



A cool airy house is the proper situation for the plants while in 

 blossom, and during this time they should be liberally supplied 

 with water, and they will continue to bloom until the end of the 

 season. It will greatly prolong the blooming season if the seed 

 vessels are removed as they appear, as plants in most cases after 

 having formed seed soon fall off in the production of bloom. The 

 bees also must be guarded against, as they in no small degree 

 hasten the dropping of the flowers. 



By carefully attending to these few simple remarks, plants 12 

 feet in diameter may be grown, having from 100 to 200 branches 

 loaded with bloom. But as to the merit of each plan of growth 

 I have only to add that both of them are equally good, and if 

 plants grown on both plans are arranged alternately the effect 

 is most beautiful ; but the plants which have been exhibited by 

 various growers at our floricultural exhibitions will speak for 

 themselves ; and now that we have the addition of some good and 

 novel varieties, the display at the coming exhibitions may be 

 expected to be of the greatest brilliancy. 



GIVING AIR. 



More mischief is done at this season of the year than is generally 

 supposed, by not giving sufficient air to Geraniums and greenhouse 

 plants, but especially to soft-wooded plants. We could point to many 

 greenhouses about the country, where the weak and half-matured 

 growth of the plants says plainly — " Give us more air." Many keep 

 their houses closed during the winter months, and are afraid to give air. 

 We do not, but air well whenever we can. This is of the greatest 

 importance to plants, and cannot be too closely attended to. If the 

 weather has been wet and the house is damp, put on a little fire heat 

 and give air, and drive the damp out. By giving air freely you obtain 

 short vigorous growth and well-matured plants, but by observing an 

 opposite course, you get weak growth and stunted flowers. How many 

 a variety has been unjustly condemned in consequence ! 



