122 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



ridges in sumiupr. Dutch bulbs are also being brought out weekly for the drawing- 

 room. This plan is merely au enlarged idea of wbat was before exemplified, and 

 serves to prove how valuable ground vineries are to the horticulturist. 



THE CINERARIA. 



BY ME. CHAELES TUENEE, OF THE EOTAL NUESEEIES, SLOUGH. 



^HP^N we consider its diversity of colour, its adaptation alike for the con- 

 servatory, the drawing-room, or the bouquet, its bright and cheerful 

 appeurcuce at a time when there is a dearth of other flowers, and, in 

 many cases, its fragrance, Avhich reminds us of the sweet scent of the 

 hawtliorn, we can hardly be wrong in affirming tliat we do not possess 

 a more useful plant than that of which we now propose to speak biiefly — the 

 Cineraria. 



Comparing the Cineraria of our day with its ancestors, we are struck by the 

 great progress which has been acliieved by the florist. A few years ago and the 

 petals of these flowers were few and far between as the sails of a windmill, but now 

 we have a symmetrical form and compact growth, in combination with the most 

 varied and effective colours. Only of lute admitted to our greater exhibitions, it is 

 now acknowledged by all to form one of their most interesting and important 

 adjuncts. Fur the ball-room or the banquet, few decorative plants are so appropriate 

 — the crimson and rose-edged varieties, in particular, bemg most brilliant and 

 striking by artificial light. 



Such being the charms and capabilities of the Cineraria, a few hints as to its 

 management may prove useful. 



If the stock is inferior, as it must be where it has been merely continued by re- 

 production, or by seedlings, which vtry speedily degenerate without skilful hybrid- 

 izing and careful stltctions, it will be best to make a fresh start by procuring, before 

 the winter sets in, a few plants of recent introduction and of distinct colouring 

 from some reliable source. These should be j^rown on vigorously through the 

 winter months, and will then make au abundant and, if kept in a cool situation, a 

 lengthened display in the spring. 



The mo.-t suitable soil is a mixture of turfy loam with rotten manure, leaf- 

 mould, and river, or silver sand. A good drainage will lessen the danger of 

 mildew ; but, if this appears, apply sulphur immediately, and persevere till you have 

 mastered it. 



Keep the plants as near the glass as possible, and give them air at every favour- 

 able opportunity. 



When they have flowered and cease to be ornamental, Ihey may be removed, if 

 the weather is not too severe, out of doois, and placed at the foot of a north wall or 

 hedge. In a short time they will be ready for cutting down, when they should be 

 lightly surfaced with soil. As soon as tlie suckers break up, they may be taken oflF, 

 inserted round the edges of pots or teed pans, and placed in a cool pit or frame. 

 Sprinkle them occasionally until they are thoroughly established ; harden gradually 

 by more frequent admission of air, and re-pot in accordance with the regular 

 development of the plant. — Gardener's Annual. 



American Mode of Gkowing Blackbeekies.— The canes are planted in rows 

 3ft. apart, and 3tt. apart in the rows. Over each row is stretched a stout wire at the 

 lieightof about four feet, with suikes at proper intervals to suppoit it at this height. 

 As the vines grow they are tied to the wire, and bent dov;n along the wire all in the 

 same direction — that* is, all towaros the south, all towards the north, or in such 

 direction as may be most convenient. Tlie berries are borne on the wood of the pre- 

 vious year's growth. In the spring of each year, the bearing wood of the year 

 before is cut out and removed, and the new shoots are tied to the wire, the lateral 

 shoots of the new wood being at the same time cut back within a foot of the main 

 stalk. TiiUs the whole labour of trimming and training the viues is performed at 

 one operation. It is better to manure in the autumu, and this all-important matter 

 should be attended to every year. 



