32 THE FLORIST. 



10° by day. Syringe the blocks, baskets, &c. each sunny day, and 

 keep the internal air moderately humid by damping the pipes as 

 occasion repuires. 



Pansies. The soil for blooming these in pots — which should 

 have been prepared in summer — must be well-turned and kept tole- 

 rably dry, in readiness for use the first week in February, Avhen they 

 require their final repotting, pegging out the shoots at regular dis- 

 tances. The plants should be raised near the glass, and grown as 

 hardy as possible. The frames should only be closed during very 

 bad weather. 



Finl's, after severe weather, such as we have experienced in 

 December, should be gone over on a fine day, pressing firmly in the 

 soil such as may have been loosened by frost. Very choice varieties 

 should be protected from cutting winds, by placing small propa- 

 gating-glasses over them during their continuance, removing the 

 glasses as often as it is fine. 



Pelargoniums. This is a convenient as well as proper time to tie 

 out the shoots of plants intended for specimens. The method of doing 

 this has often been described in the Florist. Keep the soil in a good 

 state for repotting the July plants, which should be done towards the 

 end of the month. Watch narrowly for green-fly, and fumigate the 

 moment it is observed. All dead foliage should be removed as it 

 appears. Fancy varieties require similar treatment; they do not 

 draw, however, if the house is kept a little closer than is desirable 

 for other kinds of Pelargonium. Seedlings : Give these plenty of 

 room, and water them but sparingly, destroying those that are 

 *' blind," or cankered with disease. 



Poses. Beds of Tea-scented or China on their own roots should 

 be covered Avith three or four inches of ashes or old tan, or with five 

 or six inches of moss. Worked plants of Tea-scented, if in an ex- 

 posed situation, had better be taken up and placed under a south 

 wall, covering the heads "wdth litter; or if not removed, tie Fern or 

 cuttings of Evergreens on their heads, or "cover them with a cap of 

 calico painted and strained over a dome made of split Hazel. These 

 will last for years. Lose no time in planting as soon as the frost is 

 out of the ground. 



Stove. No attempt should be made to excite a premature growth 

 at this season by keeping a high temperatui^e. From 55° by night 

 to 63° by day should be the highest limits. At the same time the 

 atmospheric moisture should be reduced considerably; water "with 

 great caution. Ixoras, AUamandas, &c., if wanted to bloom early, 

 may be plunged in bottom-heat towards the end of the month. 



Tulips. These not having yet made their appearance above 

 ground, will only require the ordinary treatment of covering during 

 rain or snow. The frost must be severe indeed to injure them before 

 they make their appearance, particularly if the beds have been kept 

 dry, as directed. 



