MARCH. 



HINTS FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas. These will require very close attention, both in regard 

 to watering and covering on frosty nights ; as they are now throwing 

 up their trusses, more moisture will be necessary as the season ad- 

 vances. The truss may be carefully examined towards the end of the 

 month, in order to remove any superfluous pips. Keep them open 

 during fine weather, and give plenty of air on all other occasions, 

 when frosty winds do not prevail. 



Calceolarias. As they begin to grow they will require to be care- 

 fully examined, removing all dead foliage and keeping them clean of 

 insects. Late seedlings will require their last shift. 



Carnations and Picotees. It is usual to give these a good fumi- 

 gating before they are removed from the pit they have been wintered 

 in, in order to destroy any green-fly with which they may be in- 

 fested. As potting should be proceeded with for blooming, if the 

 weather will admit, when in the large pots it is a work of no slight 

 labour to remove them to a pit or house for the purpose of giving 

 them a good smoking. Aphides are generally brushed off after they 

 are out of doors ; but they remain clear of these pests a much longer 

 time if planted out in a clean, healthy condition. The past month, 

 has been a capital time to get the soil frosted, and in a good state 

 for potting. Commence with the strongest plants of the early kinds, 

 or those that are beginning to grow. Put three plants into a 11 -inch 

 pot, or a pair into an 8-inch; potting them firm, and setting them in 

 a sheltered situation for a time. If there are sufficient small hand- 

 glasses at command for the purpose, place them over the plants 

 during bad weather. For the choicer kinds, room might be found 

 in the pit or frame they have been wintered in ; the cold will not 

 injure them if it is dry. Those remaining in small pots will require 

 frequent looking over with the watering-pot. 



Cinerarias. Mildew and green-fly are the two principal things for 

 the Cineraria grower to guard against, and should be studiously kept 

 under. Cleanliness and sulphur cure the former, the latter is best 

 destroyed by fumigating. The forward plants will require a little 

 liquid manure at intervals during the month. Late stock may be 

 repotted into blooming-pots. 



Dahlias. Strike plenty of cuttings the latter part of the month ; 

 these will make fine plants of the right age. Border-varieties may 

 be started on a little bottom-heat, or on the floor of a vinery, in 

 order that the root may be divided with a shoot to each division. 

 Those that have plenty of room may sow their seed the end of the 

 mouth. 



Fuchsias. Continue the treatment recommended last month. The 

 Fuchsia luxuriates in warmth and moisture, if the heat is not too 

 great. 



Hollyhock. The lights should be drawn quite off the plants, ex- 

 cept in very bad weather, or the strongest will be liable to push up 

 their blooming-spikes. Plant out as soon as the severity of the 



