62 THE FLORIST. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas. — The growing season for these plants will have fairly set 

 in, therefore increased care will be necessary to protect them in severe 

 weather ; on all other occasions keep the pits quite open, avoiding 

 rain. Still the \vaterpot must now be used pretty freely. It should 

 be ascertained that the water has penetrated through the ball of earth, 

 which is not always an easy matter after being kept dry so long a 

 time. Top-dress as soon as this has been effected, and remove the 

 plants to a south aspect. We feel great pleasure in announcing that 

 the Horticultural Society of London has offered prizes for this deserving 

 old favourite, to be competed for at the Society's rooms, 21, Regent- 

 street, on Tuesday, April 3. 



Azaleas. — Those plants that are required for early blooming should 

 be brought into the Peach houses and early Vineries, making certain 

 that they are free from thrips. Those that remain in cooler houses 

 should have every attention ; by no means over-water them ; keep the 

 pots and surface-soil perfectly clean, and air at all favourable times. 

 Those that were forced early must, after done flowering, be removed to 

 a close pit ; be cautious not to over excite them. 



Bedding Plants. — Look over the entire stock of bedding plants, and 

 prepare for an increase of those varieties that are deficient. 



Carnations and Picotees. — These will now be showing signs of 

 growth, which will be perceived in the heart of the plant. The spar- 

 rows are very fond of the young foliage that will now be made ; and as 

 the plants should on nearly all occasions be kept open, some care and 

 watchfulness will be required to protect the plants from their depreda- 

 tions. The plants wdll now require to be cleared of all dead foliage, 

 and fumigated, if green-fly attacks them. See that none suffer for want 

 of water, and increase the supply generally this month. The soil for 

 blooming them in should be often turned over, and well-frosted, if 

 possible. 



Cinerarias. — Many of the early flow^ering kinds, with some seed- 

 liners, are already enlivening us with their gay bright flowers. The 

 Cineraria is quite an early spring plant ; the more early it blooms, the 

 more satisfactory will it be. This should be kept in mind at the time 

 for propagating. 1 ying out the side shoots and keeping down aphides 

 is all that will be required for this season's bloom, excepting any late 

 succession plants, which will yet require repotting. 



Conservatory . — By properly arranging those plants that have be^n 

 forced, such as Azaleas, Lilacs, Rhododendrons, Roses, Orange trees, 

 &c., and endeavouring to place those plants most striking in colour in 

 situations most conspicuous, this structure may be made to assume a 

 gay and comfortable appearance. Keep on hand an abundance of early 

 flowering bulbs, which are easily brought into bloom; also Mignonette, 

 Neapolitan, and tree Violets ; dwarf Orange trees, well -formed plants 

 of Daphne indica, rubra, and little things that may be prized for their 

 fragrance or bloom. A few plants of the Calla sethiopica, if brought into 

 flower at this season, look very interesting ; and well-managed plants 



