i88i.] NOTES ON WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS. 249 



Hybrid Perpetual Roses that have flowered may now be plunged 

 outside in a sunny position ; while Tea varieties for autumn flowering 

 and early spring should still be encouraged to grow under glass, re- 

 moving all flowers as they appear, especially from those required first. 

 Zonal Pelargoniums, Solanums, Salvias, and many other such plants, 

 can now be got out and placed in their summer quarters. The two 

 latter are best planted out ; while the former should be placed upon 

 beds of ashes, and will only require attention in watering, feeding, 

 stopping, and removing the flowers and bad leaves as they appear. 

 Any of the young stock that may yet be rather small should be en- 

 couraged indoors until of a suitable size, and then be placed out to 

 harden and ripen the wood. Callas do best when planted out ; 

 and what looks more beautiful during the dreary months of winter 

 than a good plant with, say, twelve or more of its large spathes open at 

 one time ? For room decoration, where groups or large plants are em- 

 ployed, none can surpass for lasting and beauty the Calla when in flower. 

 When planted out, their culture is so simple that none need fail. 

 A trench should be prepared as if for planting Celery, with plenty of 

 manure at the bottom, and plenty at hand to work round the ball 

 during the operation of planting. If the stock is to be increased, 

 the plants can be divided and planted out at once, or they can be 

 allowed to grow into larger specimens. When planted, a thorough 

 soaking of water should be given, and liberally applied through the 

 summer. They will, after planting, go naturally to rest, and about 

 August commence throwing up immense shoots. Early in Sep- 

 tember they should be lifted and placed in pots suitable to the size 

 of the plants. They are not injured in the least by reducing the 

 ball considerably at lifting time, so as to place them in moderate-sized 

 pots. After potting, a thorough watering should be given and the 

 plants placed on the north side of a wall where the sun will not 

 strike upon them until they have commenced again to root, and 

 should be kept well syringed and moist at the root. The same applies 

 to Solanums and Salvias when lifted ; and if treated as described for 

 about a fortnight, they will not suffer when brought into a lighter 

 position. 



The earliest batches of Poinsettias^ Euphorbias, Begonias, Plumbagos, 

 and many other plants, will have been propagated ; but later batches 

 should be put in at once, and again towards the end of the month. 

 Capital plants of Poinsettias can be produced if rooted towards the 

 end of July or early in August, if strong cuttings can be obtained. 

 Poinsettias are liable to grow very tall when propagated early and 

 kept in heat. They should, after this date, be gradually hardened, 

 and brought on under cooler treatment, which will induce a short, 

 jointed, sturdy growth, well furnished with leaves, and capable, if 

 properly treated in autumn, of producing immense floral bracts. Not 

 unfrequently in autumn they lose a good percentage of their leaves; 



