THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 307 



WINTER 3J:A.NAGEMENT. 



In the beginning of October the plants should be transferred to 

 the greeahourfe stages, and there receive all the light possible, and 

 plenty of air without being exposed to cold cutting winds. They 

 must be watered cautiously up to this time. When growino- 

 vigorously, the plants require plenty of water, but through the win- 

 ter they must have no more than is just sufficient to keep them in 

 health. Too much water through the winter months is certain death 

 to them ; neither should they have more artificial heat at any time 

 than is necessary to protect them from the frost. They are im- 

 patient of fire-heat, and it does them no good, but a great deal of 

 harm ; it weakens the constitution of the plants, and the result is, 

 weak and drawn foliage, and flower-stalks with but a small amount 

 of bloom. 



MANAGEMENT FOR FLOWERING. 



If the plants are strong, which they are sure to be, with an 

 ordinary amount of attention, shift into eight-inch pots in Februay 

 and be especially careful in watering for a tew weeks afterwards. 

 As the flower-stalks make their appearance support them with neat 

 sticks, to avoid their being broken about, which their brittle nature 

 render them especially liable to, even when grown as stocky as it is 

 possible to grow them. I never stop them unless they are coming 

 into bloom too early, for I find that the heads of bloom are quite as 

 large when left alone. Plants intended for large specimens for the 

 following year should have their flowers removed immediately the 

 size, shape, and colour of them can be seen, be kept cool all the sum- 

 mer, and shifted into larger pots in autumn, early enough to fill the 

 pots with roots before winter. More care in watering is necessary 

 the second winter than the first, for the plants are in greater danger 

 of going ofl" than before. These will probably require tying out 

 before the flovrers make their appearance. It must be done with care, 

 for the side-shoots easily snap ofi", and the shape of the plant is 

 completely spoilt. 



RAISING THEM FROM CUTTINGS. 



I have not said anything about growing plants from cuttings, 

 for the treatment is the same after the cuttings are rooted. They 

 are easily struck in a cold frame if taken off as soon as they are 

 large enough, and kept close and shady. The cuttings should, of 

 course, be taken from the very best varieties you have, and from 

 plants which have not been allowed to ripen seed. Those who know 

 how to manage cinerarias from cuttings will do well with calceolarias, 

 but I advise the amateur to depend chiefly on seeds. At each and 

 every potting, let the pots be well drained. I prefer crocks broken 

 to the size of the top of one's thumb to larger ones, and I believe 

 they drain the pots more efiectually ; and I always place a thin layer 

 of rough stufi" over them. Invariably use clean pots, and keep the 

 soil in a nice healthy condition, neither too wet nor too dry. At all 

 times, more particularly through the winter, let this rule be strictly 



October. 



