126 THE FLORIST. 



cloudy, I add plants or animals, as experience directs, and without ever 

 changing the water it remains pure and bright. 



If gardeners would give themselves the trouble to attend to a few of 

 the marvellous objects around them, they would augment the pleasures 

 of their occupations and obtain valuable knowledge, and thus might be 

 established a bond between youth and age ; for, if once a child is roused 

 to the pursuit of natural history, he will become a pleasant companion 

 to grown-up people — he will become merciful, for it is impossible to 

 love God's creatures and be cruel to them, and it is impossible to know 

 the wonderful works of our Almighty Creator and not to love them. 



Schoolmasters should, by command, instruct their scholars in the 

 outlines of natural history. Nothing is more easy — nothing tends 

 more to give purpose to pleasure, or lo fill up spare moments more 

 profitably. 



I would not have lads made collectors but observers. Instruct them 

 to venerate life, and to destroy it only as an act of necessity — never 

 in wantonness — never needlessly, not even the life of a plant. 



C. E. 



Bath. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas. — As many of these will now be in bloom, the frame 

 should be removed to a north aspect, to prolong the beauty of the 

 delicate tints of colour these possess. Late blooming kinds, however, 

 should for a time remain in their old quarters. A rather free supply 

 of water will now be required, with plenty of air. 



Azaleas. — Attend carefully to the watering of all the young growing 

 plants that have been potted ; syringe occasionally, and give air freely 

 in fine weather. Shift such large plants as are not showing bloom, if 

 they require a larger size pot. The bloom buds of those that are going 

 to flower will now be coming forward ; water freely, and give plenty of 

 air on fine days. To prolong the period of flowering, some of the later 

 kinds should be placed either in a house or pit with a north aspect. 



Camellias. — These should be kept pretty warm while they are 

 making their young shoots ; they should have but little air, and should 

 be syringed freely. 



Carnations and Picotees. — The season and the weather are in 

 favour of speedily finishing the potting of these plants for blooming. 

 Those for blooming in beds or borders may now be planted out, without 

 risk. Avoid planting them in soil infested with wireworm. 



Cinerarias. — Many now will be in full bloom, others will be opening. 

 In either state they are a most pleasing flower at this season of the 

 year, well grown plants being in every respect very interesting. The 

 improvement made in the Cineraria within the last few years has been 

 very great, both in form and variety. Flowers, such as Lady Hume 

 Campbell, thought perfect a few years since, would not now be tolerated. 



Cold Frames. — Remove the lights off daily, if the state of the weather 

 permits, so as gradually to harden off before planting out ; water freely, 

 and, as soon as you perceive any green-fly, fumigate. 



