222 THE FLORIST. 



flowering plant. The colour of the bloom is also very striking, being a 

 bright vermilion and yellow, which, with the dark-green foliage, makes 

 an admirable contrast ; it may therefore be safely pronounced a great 

 acquisition. 



This Impatiens, although a native of the East Indies, succeeds 

 remarkably well in an ordinary greenhouse. To have it in flower in June, 

 young plants should be obtained early in February, and after being 

 potted should be placed in a temperature of about 55*-^ or 60°, where 

 they will soon commence growing. Water should be given sparingly 

 until the plants are fairly started into growth. By the middle of May, 

 if they have gone on well, they will require repotting ; and as this will 

 be the last time for the season, a liberal shift should be given, using a 

 compost of fibrous peat and loam in equal parts, with a little well 

 decomposed manure and silver sand. By the middle of June they will 

 commence flowering, and should then be removed to a cool part of the 

 greenhouse, where they will continue to bloom until the autumn. In 

 October it should be gradually allowed to go to rest, giving water very 

 sparingly. When most of the foliage has fallen from the plant, it 

 should be placed in a cool, dry situation, where it will require no 

 further attention than a little water occasionally, to prevent it from 

 shrivelling. In February it should be again started as before, and by 

 summer it will have formed a splendid specimen. 



Its value as a greenhouse decorator will, I am sure, win it a place in 

 most collections ot plants ; but besides this, I think there is no doubt 

 that we shall one day see it occupying a place in the terrace vases, as 

 in sheltered situations at least it would bear exposure. Those who had 

 an opportunity of seeing the splendid plants exhibited at Chiswick in 

 July last by the Messrs. Veitch, will readily conceive the beautiful effect 

 a group of such plants would have. For such purposes as this, the 

 plants would require two years' preparation, to get them into good sized 

 bushes ; it would also require attention to keep the plant upright, as 

 it has a tendency to curve over the rim of the pot in which it grows. 

 This, of course, is only speculation, as I am not aware that it has been 

 tried in the open air in this country at present. Its neat habit and 

 extreme beauty for such purposes make it well worth a trial. 



Joseph Shater. 



Bowood Gardens, Wilts. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas, — These should remain quiet in the shade for some time 

 to come. Prepare the soil for repotting them next month. Let the 

 plants be quite exposed excepting during heavy rains, from which they 

 should be protected with pit lights, the sides being quite open. 



Azaleas should, after they have formed growth, be removed to an 

 exposed situation out of doors ; place them so that worms cannot enter 

 the soil, and attend to careful watering. The foliage should, as a matter 

 of course, be perfectly healthy and clean. 



