APRIL. 105 



plant growing. Be sure not to change the soil, drainage, nor watering, 

 as it will cause a great check to the plants. Let them now be removed 

 into a frame having a northern aspect. The frame should be placed 

 on the north side of a south wall, elevated upon one brick in front and 

 two behind, (or any other support) to allow a current of air to pass 

 through the under side of the foliage. The plants should be placed 

 in the frame, also elevated upon two bricks — one on each side of 

 the pot, not placing anything directly under the bottom to cover the 

 hole, which might obstruct the drainage. The season should now have 

 reached the middle of June, which is generally warm and dry ; con- 

 sequently the lights should be (if a clear morning and evening) taken off 

 earlier for the former, and kept off rather late for the latter, to let the 

 moist atmosphere settle upon the foliage, and when the sun gets 

 rather warm, shut them almost up, leaving the lights propped up about 

 six inches, with a mat or canvass placed over the frame for a shading. 

 Attend carefully to the watering, and let them remain here until they 

 again require repotting. 



If they have become healthy and prosperous looking plants, let them 

 be repotted into ten-inch sized pots, with compost, drainage, and 

 watering as before described, and place them in the same position as 

 before, also remove the blossoms as soon as they appear. As soon as 

 the roots make a start, water with manure water about twice each 

 successive week during the winter, while they are in bloom. The best 

 material of which to make this manure water is either sheep-dung or 

 cow-dung, placed in a tub, with water poured upon it, and then well 

 stirred. Let it remain to fine down, until required for use. 



By this mode of treatment 1 have had plants in ten-inch sized pots, 

 sixteen inches in diameter, all flowering in profusion from the middle 

 of October to the-end of April. About the beginning of September they 

 should have completed their growth, when they should be taken in for 

 greenhouse decoration. Choose a situation for them, if convenient, free 

 from drip, or they will be greatly disfigured by their rotting off. Allow 

 the blossoms to spring forth, so that they may display their beautiful 

 appearance, which forms the greatest ornament I have ever perceived 

 in the dreary winter months. Any person wishing to obtain the above 

 varieties may purchase them of any respectable nurseryman or florist for 

 about Is. 6c/. each. They are deserving a place in every greenhouse, 

 and, by adopting the above mode of treatment, I am certain they 

 cannot fail. 



G. Gaterell. 



NOTES ON THE MONTH OP MARCH. 



March has been one of the coldest ever remembered. Not only has 

 it been cold, but there has been an absence of sun's heat on several 

 days. The thermometer has barely risen more than 2° or 3° above 

 the freezing point. Frost, snow, and cold drizzling rain, have only 

 been relieved by three or four really fine days. This has very con- 

 siderably retarded all out-door operations, including digging, planting, 

 and the execution of ground work. The sowing and planting of sum- 



