i88i.] WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS. 419 



suitable places for the different plants during the autumn months. 

 Many cultivators have to contend with such disadvantages, and yet 

 in the end achieve wonderful success. The spring is a busy season, 

 and plant and fruit houses are often too crow^ded with plants ; 

 but in autumn these are comparatively useless for many subjects 

 except those only that require sheltering from frost. Many plants, 

 such as Euphorbias, Poinsettias, Plumbagos, and others, will not 

 do in fruit-houses, but require gentle warmth to bring them forward. 

 In too many instances, for want of room and proper accommodation, 

 these plants are either starved or placed in strong heat, which causes 

 them to make a second growth and become tall and leggy, to produce 

 only poor flowers or bracts. Such plants only require gentle warmth 

 to keep them moving until growth is completed, and the bracts or flower- 

 buds about to form, when they can be developed in stronger heat. The 

 early batches will have completed their growth, but successional plants 

 must be encouraged for some time yet. Poinsettias are much improved, 

 after they commence to form their bracts, if developed in a higher 

 temperature — say about 65°. The bracts are not only brighter in 

 colour, but larger in size. Celosias are also improved if their rich 

 golden and crimson plumes are brought out in heat : a temperature 

 10° lower than the preceding will suit them well. Where these 

 plants are in a backward state, they must be pushed forward wdth all 

 possible speed. If in cold frames, they should be placed where heat 

 can be given them, with a good circulation of air, and as close to the 

 glass as possible, to keep them dwarf and sturdy. Celosias quickly 

 draw up tall and weakly in heat if not given abundance of air, which 

 is essential to their wellbeing. Winter-flowering Begonias should be 

 out of cold frames by this time, especially the Manicata type, or the 

 leaves soon damp, as it is impossible after this season of the year to 

 keep the atmosphere sufficiently dry to suit them. Damp is the greatest 

 enemy to Begonias in the autumn ; and they are more liable to suffer 

 from it than from a little cold. 



Cyclamen are amongst the most useful of plants, either for the con- 

 servatory or room decoration, and should by this time be showing a 

 good quantity of flowers. The most forward plants, if wanted in 

 flower early next month, should be placed on a shelf close to the glass, 

 where the plants can enjoy a little warmth and a good circulation of 

 air. This is necessary, as, when Cyclamen are placed in heat, the flowers 

 quickly appear above the foliage, and soon draw up tall and weakly. 

 The later batches can be kept cool for some time yet : any light posi- 

 tion will suit them well where frost can be excluded ; in fact they 

 will do yet for some time in cold frames. These plants are not injured 

 by their foliage being damp, which is sure to be the case every morning 

 while in cold frames. To grow Cyclamen well, their foliage should 

 never be allowed to become dry during the growing season. They 

 soon fail to grow and do well if subject to a dry atmosphere. Daphne 



