MARCH. 93 



best to make choice of fine weather for this operation. Should the red 

 spider become troublesome, the garden engine and clean water will 

 make him quit his quarters. J. D. 



North umberland. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas have made but little progress in growth up to the present 

 time, neither have they suffered by the severity of the weather, it 

 having commenced before they had unfolded any of their young and 

 tender foliage, and when they were in a dry state. If later, the 

 bloom will probably be better, and more at one time. Watering must 

 be regularly attended to ; at this season they require considerable 

 moisture. The glass will require cleaning after so much covering to 

 the frames to protect the plants from the frost. This covering must be 

 continued whenever the nights are frosty. 



Azaleas. — Attend to directions as given last month. 



Bedding Plants. — While increasing those varieties that are scarce, 

 endeavour to forward the growth of the remaining stock, if much used 

 for cuttings. Keep down insects by fi-equently fumigating, Verbenas 

 especially, as now they are liable to be attacked by aphis when beginning 

 to push. Many kinds of Geraniums should be increased now ; Golden 

 Chain, Unique, Mountain of Light, &c., will strike readily at this time, 

 and be sufficiently strong to bed out. Forward roots of Salvia patens, 

 and form a short growth by frequently pinching the shoots, if they 

 are required for beds, especially. 



Carnations and Picotees should be allowed to have the first mild 

 rain ; it will improve their appearance by giving them a good washing 

 after the long dull winter, and otherwise benefit the plants. They 

 will also require often looking over with the water-pot, as the small pots 

 they are wintered in will be getting full of roots, and the plants will 

 suffer if this is not attended to. The winter has been an excellent one 

 for preparmg the soil, which will now very shortly be required ; having 

 been well frosted it v/ill only require a few good turnings previous to 

 being used, unless wireworms are detected, in which case it should be 

 drawn on a bench to clear it of this pest. If the plants are strong, the 

 more there is potted for blooming in March the better, commencing 

 with the strongest plants of the earliest varieties. 



Cinerarias. — The principal plants will have made their growth and 

 be coming into bloom ; look well to green- fly, and fumigate on their 

 first appearance. Repot those for late blooming, and give all plenty of 

 light and air. If the foliage has become dusty from the covering up 

 that has been necessary to protect the plants in pits, give them a good 

 syringing on a bright morning, that they may become dry before night. 

 Conservatory. — Where plants are trained against the pillars or 

 walls of the conservatory, according to their habits and wants, they 

 should, before beginning to grow, have special attention at the roots. 

 When circumstances admit of having the plants in large pots or 

 slate boxes, they can be more easily attended to, but otherwise the old 



