iSyi.] GLOXINIAS. 399 



cleaned, if there is any fear of insects about them. They should be 

 emptied and thoroughly fumigated with sulphur, which will kill all 

 animal life. Plants must not be allowed to come in contact with the 

 fumes, as death to them would be certain. 



All hard-wooded plants, such as Camellias, Epacris, Heaths, Acacias, 

 &c., must now be got ready to be taken under cover. Clean the pots, 

 examine the drainage, and put a clean surfacing over them, first clear- 

 ing-off moss-covered and wasted soil, and then they are ready to be 

 arranged in their winter-quarters. Scale and thrips on the foliage 

 should not be tolerated. Oranges and Camellias are subject to their 

 attacks. Cinerarias, Calceolarias, and Primulas should have every 

 encouragement to finish a healthy growth ; a wet close atmosphere 

 gives weakly foliage and poor flowers. Prevent them from being 

 pot-bound by timely shifts. Primulas flowering prematurely in 

 small pots may be turned to useful account by regular supplies 

 of manure-water, and a surfacing of decayed manure and leaf-mould. 

 Pelargoniums, "stage sorts," may now require shifting to larger pots. 

 Timely attention is necessary to prevent them from becoming pot- 

 bound. Plenty of healthy roots in the pots is always a safe guide as 

 to shifting the plants to larger pots. Whatever is potted at this 

 season should have plenty of drainage — larger pieces at bottom, and 

 smaller ones over them. As the season advances, watering requires 

 the more care, always giving enough to reach all the roots and soil ; 

 pouring it into pots when the soil has shrunk from the sides is labour 

 thrown away, and the plants are thus destroyed. Fumigate with 

 tobacco such plants as require it whenever insects are observed. 

 Short pieces of Koses root well when placed in sandy soil this month. 

 For tender kinds handlights or frames are necessary. M. T. 



GLOXINIAS. 



Few among the more popular stove-plants are more deserving of culti- 

 vation, or will more amply repay any extra care bestowed upon them, 

 than Gloxinias. They can be had in bloom for at least six months 

 of the year ; and the most of the time they are not in active service 

 they can be stowed away in very small compass, and require no further 

 trouble than an occasional look to see that the bulbs are keeping 

 securely. Some of the varieties now in cultivation, and especially the 

 upright-flowering ones, are exquisitely beautiful, and comprise among 

 them many most delicate shades of colour in beautifully-blended com- 

 binations. They have the additional recommendation of not being 

 diflicult to grow successfully, and may take the same rank among 



