92 THE FLORIST. 



struction of a thermometer which should be correct within half a degree 

 at any part of its scale, and yet capable of being sold at a reasonable 

 price. It frequently happens that after a time, the exposure of an 

 instrument to a damp warm atmosphere will induce Confervte to grow 

 upon it and thus obliterate the index ; therefore it seemed requisite that 

 the scale should be raised, in order to prevent the destruction of the 

 instrument by this troublesome pest. This was a point strongly urged 

 with these opticians, and I am happy to be enabled to state that Messrs. 

 Negretti and Zambra have succeeded in producing a self-registering 

 thermometer, which they can warrant correct within half a degree in 

 any portion of its scale. The instrument is placed on a metal stand, 

 and the scale itself is raised metal, whilst the price is only three 

 shillings and sixpence. It is now, therefore, within the reach of every 

 gardener to possess a really good and trustworthy instrument for every 

 greenhouse or stove. The " Horticultural Thermometer" is so good 

 that when well known it must become universally adopted. — E. J. 

 Lowe, Esq., F.R.A.S., FG.S., &c. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas. — The powdered foliage of this early spring flower has 

 already expanded, which, without being as attractive, is almost as 

 interesting as the flower. Cover the glass carefully at night in frosty 

 weather, the young growth being tender, and the flower buds will be 

 developing. If the top-dressing has been done as recommended last 

 month, watering and giving air will be the principal things to attend to 

 for some time to come. As aphides generally appear with the young 

 growth, the plants should be subjected to one or two good smokings with 

 tobacco or tobacco paper. 



Azaleas. — Pot, if not already done, young plants ; stop and tie out 

 shoots, and place them in heat. Thrips are troublesome pests to 

 Azaleas ; look out for them and fumigate two or three evenings succes- 

 sively ; this will rid the plants of them ; but for small plants the best 

 plan is to dip them for a few minutes into tobacco water, this will clear 

 the plants of thrips. Attend carefully to the watering of large specimen 

 plants ; give them plenty of air on fine days. 



Came/lias. — Those plants that have been in a little heat will be done 

 flowering and commencing growing ; they should be syringed freely, 

 and should occasionally be watered with liquid manure. Any plants 

 in rather small pots which are full of roots may now be shifted, but 

 this operation is in general better performed at a later period. 



Carnations and Picotees. — The soil for blooming these plants in 

 having been sweetened by the frost and frequent turnings, and the pots 

 having been cleaned, potting may be commenced with the first fine 

 weather. We have so often described how this is most effectually per- 

 formed, that it is only necessary to remind our readers, that now is the 

 time for the operation of potting them into their blooming pots, for 



