96 THE FLORIST. 



beds. If a few plants are planted in a shaded border it prolongs the 

 bloom, by keeping them in colour during the month of June. Seed- 

 lings wintered in pans should be planted out. Sow autumn-saved seed. 



Pelargoniums. March is an important month with this plant. 

 Fumigating must be particularly attended to ; as the plants begin to 

 grow, aphides will make their appearance, which must be kept under. 

 Watering too, at this season, requires more than ordinary care and 

 judgment. As but little water is given during the dull winter months, 

 the balls of earth become dry and hard towards the bottom of the soil, 

 and as the general stock is started into growth at this season, care 

 should be taken that, when watering, it penetrates through the ball 

 of earth. Training the plants into handsome shapes, as they pro- 

 gress, should be attended to, tying out the side shoots, and arranging 

 them generally according to the instructions given on several pre- 

 vious occasions in the Florist. If the foliage has become at all 

 dusty, use the syringe freely until it is free of it. Use weak 

 liquid manure when the pots have become full of roots ; give plenty 

 of room, light, and air. Fancy varieties require much the same 

 treatment as the other kinds ; the warmest end of the house should 

 be allotted to them. 



Pinks. Top-dress the beds with a mixture of half-rotten manure, 

 and half good rich soil, choosing a day when the beds are tolerably 

 dry on the surface. If any plants have been loosened by frost, press 

 them firmly into the soil before they are top-dressed. 



Roses may yet be planted even up to the end of the month ; and 

 although we have done this successfully as late as the first week in 

 May, should the weather continue open, we cannot recommend its 

 being delayed a day longer than is necessary. Some have recom- 

 mended pruning being performed on " hybrid perpetual and summer 

 varieties" last month, but we would advise that only the wood which 

 is to be entirely removed be cut out at present ; leave shortening the 

 shoots (always to an outer bud) till all chance of severe frost is quite 

 over. The directions given last month respecting Pot-Roses apply 

 equally well to this. 



Stove. Allow the heat to increase gradually ; admit air freely in 

 favourable weather. Plants which have bloomed should be allowed 

 to get dry, and be removed to a cooler house. Plants which begin to 

 show signs of groAvth should be repotted (if required). Attend to 

 previous directions respecting insects. 



Tulips. Generally these will now be above ground, and will re- 

 quire the care of the Florist in protecting them during frosts, cutting 

 winds, or hail, on all other occasions keep them open. Mats, stout 

 canvas, or what is better than either, Frigi Domo makes a good 

 covering during winter, or at night during the spring months. 



