114 THE GARDENER. [March 



sown soon, but for a late display late in April is early enough. Hardy 

 annuals coming in flower should be kept free from weeds, the surfaces 

 of the beds kept open, and the plants prevented from becoming 

 matted together, as they would rot in wet weather. Mignonette and 

 Sweet Peas, and all kinds of hardy perennials, may now be sown. 

 Pansy, Polyanthus, Auricula seed, may now be sown — if under a glass 

 light, so much the better. Cover lightly and dust with small coal- 

 ashes, as slugs soon find out the young seedlings. All bedding plants 

 may now be propagated without delay. Harden those rooted carefully 

 and by degrees, pot the rooted cuttings and keep them growing 

 steadily with as much sun as they will bear, and when well established 

 they may have the lights drawn off in mild weather. Guard against 

 sudden changes ; and when plants are wet they suffer more quickly 

 from cold than when they are dry. Carnations, Picotees, Pansies, 

 and similar plants to bloom in pots, may be shifted when the roots 

 have well filled the soil. Topdressing with rich healthy stuff and 

 liquid manure in a weakly state may be given to all gross feeders. 

 Hyacinths, Lily of the Valley, Tulips, and similar plants flowering 

 in pots, will consume quantities of healthy liquid manure. Plants for 

 windows, greenhouses, and frames will now require attention ; boxes 

 for windows, if empty, should be well washed, drainage holes exa- 

 mined, and paint used for the outside if necessary. Stocks, Mignonette, 

 Nemophila Insignis, Petunias, Pelargoniums of the Tom Thumb class, 

 Gazanias, (Enotheroe, Heliotrope, are among some of the leading 

 favourites for windows, and all are easily grown ; good healthy 

 loam and a little sand suits them ; some of the artificial manures 

 used as directed on their cases is of great service to amateurs, 

 especially those in towns. Greenhouse plants may all be over- 

 hauled now that the growing season has commenced. Those 

 which were previously cut back and breaking out fresh may be 

 shifted into larger pots, or the roots reduced and placed into the same 

 size or smaller ; Azaleas, Heaths, Epacris, and a number of similar 

 plants, require peat, sand, and charcoal, with little or no loam ; many 

 others do well with half loam and peat, and sand to keep the whole 

 open ; Acacias, Cytisus, Pimeleas, and Camelias are among this class — 

 the latter does well in turfy loam and charcoal. As a rule, beginners can 

 judge what soil is required by turning the plants out carefully from 

 their pots, and examining the soil they have been growing in, and if 

 there is health and vigour in the roots, fresh material of the same kind 

 may be given if necessary. Keep foliage clean by washing and syring- 

 ing when it can be safely done, and water with great care after newly 

 potting the plants. Making the soil sodden is destruction to most 

 plants, especially those with fine roots. When potting is done, plenty 



