150 THE FLORIST. 



cessfully kept this destructive parasite under. If green-fly appears, 

 with which they are very apt to be infested, fumigate with tobacco. 

 'I'hey should now require a shift into a larger sized pot, and let the fol- 

 lowing compost be used : turfy peat, fibry loam, leat-mould, decomposed 

 cow-dung, and drift-sand, equal parts of each, beaten roughly together, 

 mixing in a little silver sand. Prepare a six-inch sized pot, with a 

 good drainage, over which place a thm layer of turfy-peat, to prevent 

 the soil from intermixing with the sherds. Repot, and again place 

 them in the frame. Water moderately, and the admittance of a good 

 current of air will also have great influence on them. Let all possible 

 care be taken not to have the roots coiled and cramped by their coming 

 in contact with the side of the pot, which is generally the case afler 

 subsisting in the same pot too long. Then, as soon as the roots are 

 penetrating through the soil, let the plants be again repotted into a larger 

 sized pot, using the aforesaid admixture, and be replaced in the same 

 position as heretofore described, keeping them thoroughly clear from 

 aphides by occasionally fumigating. By this time they will have made 

 great progress, and become good sized plants, and those which will not 

 be likely to be overgro\\Ti by such a stimulant may have occasional 

 waterings with liquid manure. Cow-dung is the best manure to use 

 for this purpose, as a much brighter colour is effected. About 

 the end of October potting should be proceeded with, taking care to 

 pot them into the same soil as that described. A change of soil at this 

 period is highly prejudicial. Six or eight-inch pots should be devoted 

 to the largest plants ; and soil rougher than that formerly described. 

 Place them into a greenhouse, close to the glass ; thus they will be 

 prevented from being drawn up too weakly. They may be also grown 

 in a frame during the winter, if there is a flue or hot-water apparatus, 

 to prevent the frost from injuring them. Between this and the time of 

 flowering let all means be taken to insure a vigorous growth, care- 

 fully tying out, so that the plants may assume a neat and compact form. 

 About the end of February they will have expanded their bloom, then 

 the varieties of colour, long continuance in bloom, and the splendid 

 show which will be formed by them, in the greenhouse or conser- 

 vatory, at this period of the year, when there is little else in bloom, 

 will amply repay any person for the care which has been bestowed 

 upon them, and any person, by practising the above, may calculate on 

 success. 



As soon as the bloom begins to decay, and the leaves are turning 

 yellow, less water must be applied. Remove them into a frame, or, 

 if not convenient, out of doors wall suit them. As the plants are of 

 an herbaceous habit, they require a period of rest. 



G. G., Kew. 



[We agree with our correspondent that few plants are worse 

 managed generally than the Cineraria. We prefer, however, growing 

 them entirely in a pit, with a command of heat, which should only be 

 used in case of frost, removing them to the conservatory, or green- 

 house, when in bloom. Tie the side shoots out, and give the plants plenty 

 of room. This, with cleanliness, will make them grow in any soil.] 



