176 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



leaf-mould, half a part rotten manure, and nearly the same quantity 

 of sharp silver sand. The Gesneras and Gloxinias should be potted 

 singly in small pots, and just covered with soil. The Achimenes 

 ought to have from six to eight bulbs in each pot. "We shall have 

 to grow them to a flowering size in small pots, therefore that num- 

 ber must not be exceeded. "When there are too many bulbs in each 

 pot, the plants get crowded, and are so weak as to be unable to 

 flower well. There are two good ways to start them. I will point 

 out both, and then the cultivator can take his choice. Either way 

 the bulbs must be shaken carefully out of the old soil in readiness 

 for planting. One way is to fill ordinary seed pans with the pre- 

 pared compost, and place the bulbs regularly over the surface, and 

 then cover with a quarter of an inch of soil. "When the young 

 plants are two inches high, they can be pricked off into either five or 

 six-inch pots, regulating this point by the size of the stand used upon 

 the dinner table. Six in each pot will be enough. The other way 

 is to fill sixties with soil, and then put eight bulbs in each, keeping 

 them round the sides. "When they are large enough, draw out the 

 two weakest, and shift into the size recommended above. 



As it is necessary to have dwarf bushy plants, hardy enough to 

 bear with impunity the dry heat of the dining-room, and also a 

 short sojourn in a draughty lobby, they must be elevated on pots to 

 keep them near the glass. If they are placed near the back part of 

 the frame, as well as being elevated, they will get the benefit of 

 plenty of air. This would not be possible were they placed along 

 the front part of the frame, where hardly a breath of air ever 

 comes. When the pots are well filled with roots, weak manure 

 water, every other time, will be of great service in helping to pro- 

 mote a healthy growth. So long as it is weak it will be better for 

 the plants if manure water is used altogether. I believe in weak 

 doses frequently, in preference to a strong dose now and then. 



Neat sticks should be put to the young Achimenes as soon as 

 they are four inches in length, and secured to them as growth pro- 

 gresses. The tall sorts ought to be stopped when they get about 

 six inches in height, to promote a bushy habit. "We do not want 

 tall specimens on the table, as they obscure the view across it, and 

 then become objectionable, and for this reason only dwarf varieties 

 ouo-ht to be used. Towards the end of May remove to a warm 

 corner of the greenhouse, and shade from the sun. In cold seasons, 

 the plants had better remain in the frames rather longer, say to the 

 first week in June, or they will probably receive a serious check, and 

 the growth be prematurely stopped. "When this happens the flowers 

 do not open kindly. As we want clear colours that will tell well 

 under the influence of artificial light, the following selection will be 

 suitable, — Aurora, scarlet ; Carminata splendens, carmine ; Dazzle, 

 bright scarlet ; Longiflora alba, white ; Margaretta, white ; Scarlet 

 Perfection, carmine. 



The Gesneras and Gloxinias will succeed under the same treat- 

 ment, but the former should be kept in the frame longer. Of the 

 former cinnabarina, refulgens, and zebrina splendens are the best ; 

 these can be had from August until February by starting a succes- 



