THE CINERAEIA. 



Merit at the National Flovicultural Society, and Ladij Mary Labouchere obtained a 

 first-class Certificate from the same Society, as well as from the Royal South London 

 Floricultural Society. 



"Where is there a plant, during the autumn, winter, and early spring months, so 

 gay and beautiful as the Cineraria ; or which is so useful for exhibition or decorative 

 purposes, or for the embellishment of the flower-vase or boquet ? By artificial light, 

 the colors of some of the rose, crimson, and purple varieties are extremely brilliant ; 

 while the white varieties, mingled with the preceding colors, are matchless. Add to 

 this, that many of the kinds are deliciously fragrant, and you have nearly all the qual- 

 ities which constitute a good flower. In treating of the Cineraria as a plant for exhi- 

 bition, or of its value for decorative purposes (and, in the early part of the season, the 

 plants make a fine display), we can not refrain from stating that their cultivation 

 should be much improved, and indeed must be before they will assume their wonted 

 standing upon our exhibition tables. But a few years back Cinerarias were but a lot 

 of poor, starry things, with narrow, flimsy petals, and flowers supported by tall, un- 

 sightly stems ; but now, thanks to the desire for improvement, the best varieties are 

 dwarf and compact, and, when properly grown, produce perfect trusses of stout, and, 

 in some cases, of almost perfectly-formed flowers. 



" When high cultivation is aimed at, peculiar treatment (which we shall presently 

 describe) is required to produce stout, healthy cuttings, as from such the Cineraria 

 can only be properly grown. As the plant is now in bloom, and seedlings will be 

 required, a few of the most esteemed varieties should be selected for that purpose, 

 bearing in mind that those chosen must be of the best possible form, clear colors and 

 marking, as much depends on this in producing new and first rate varieties. When 

 this is done, some secluded place in the garden should be selected, to keep them 

 entirely apart from any inferior varieties, from which the bees would fertilize them, 

 and produce muddy, unsightly flowers, instead of clear and well-defined colors. 

 When the seeds are ripe, sow immediately in some shady place; and as soon as large 

 enough, prick ofl" thinly into pans or wide pots, and keep close for a few days, until 

 they are properly established, when they may be removed to the open air until large 

 enough to place in single pots. Should large plants be required, they should be 

 stopped when about two or three inches high. As soon as the seeds are gathered, 

 the old plants should be cut down, or partly so, as in many instances the crowns of 

 the plants rot if cut too close to the surface. Now that they are cut down, remove 

 them to some shady place (a north border being preferable), until they throw up 

 young shoots, when they should be potted into larger pots, in a light compost, or 

 planted out in the open ground in a light soil, where they will give strong cuttings, 

 and from these only can good specimens be obtained. When they have grown about 

 an inch or two, remove the cuttings, and place them in a compost prepared for the 

 purpose — composed of equal parts of loam, leaf-mold, and silver sand, taking care to 

 well drain the pots with potsherds. When rooted (which will be in about a fort- 

 night), pot off" into thumbs or small 60s, in a nice light soil. 



" Should first rate plants be wanted, every care will now bo required to keep 



