of Rural Art and Taste. 



163 



of the best kinds are well enough known to 

 dealers, and if there is any doubt, the low- 

 priced purchaser will not receive the benefit of 

 it. We have frequently known Schomburgkias 

 sold for Laelias, and the very weedy Epiden- 

 drums, which never had a name out of a botan- 

 ical library, sold for fine varieties, in some 

 cases named by the seller, and in others left 

 to the discretion of the buyer. As such plants 

 are generally the smallest bits, the new owner 

 will probably never see it flower, and live in 

 the expectation of some day astonishing his 

 neighbors by flowering a grand novelty. 



This is a good season to commence growing 

 a few Marantas. These are capital plants for 

 mixing with ferns in glass cases ; in fact it is 

 useless to attempt to grow these plants in a 

 dry, light house, for all the varieties require 

 shade from bright sun ; and Veitchii, the best 

 of all the species, must never have a gleam of 

 sunshine. We noticed some years ago Veitch, 

 of London, the introducer of this and many 

 other fine new plants, had his plants in a hot 

 north house, a fact which should be remem- 

 bered by attempted growers in this country, 

 for we do not recollect seeing a respectable 

 plant of this species at any other place but our 

 own. The old zebrina is very good in its way, 

 and will stand more rough usage than any of 

 the other varieties, and is very handsome when 

 well grown ; and regalis is also good, espe- 

 cially for a glass case. 



Poinsettd pulcherriinfi and Euphor. 

 hia jacquhue flora should be shaken out of 

 the old soil, and potted into smaller pots, to be 

 kept close for a short time, until the young- 

 shoots begin to grow, after which give abun- 

 dance of air and full sun. These plants are 

 usually grown out of doors during the summer 

 months, but here we are so exposed to rough 

 winds that we have grown them the last year 

 or two in a light Ifouse, open day and night. 

 It makes the shoots longer than they would be 

 outside, but for cut flowers that is no special 

 disadvantage. These plants dislike being either 

 waterlogged or very dry ; either will make the 

 leaves turn yellow and fall prematurely. Some 

 plant these things out, but with every care they 

 receive a great check in taking up in the au- 



tumn, and the floral bracts are not so large on 

 the one or the spikes of bloom on the other. 



Fuchsias should now be in perfection, an^ 

 must be well watered, using occasionally ma- 

 nure water. Keep them cool and shaded from 

 bright sun. 



I*elarf/oiiiinns should also be in full 

 flower. These require same treatment as 

 Fuchsias, and unless cooler than usual, will 

 not last long in flower. It will be difficult to 

 get as good mass of bloom at one time as on 

 those plants in flower last month. The house 

 should never be closed during the flowering of 

 Pelargoniums, particularly if the weather is 

 very hot ; the flowers drop much quicker. 

 Any early flowering plants should be removed 

 out of doors to a partially shaded place, and not 

 overwatered, as soon as the flowers are past. 



Hoses will be soon past for inside decoration 

 and cut flowers. Any buds remaining on the 

 plants will open better outside than in the house 

 after this time. Any young plants requiring 

 larger pots should be potted at once, and all 

 the plants plunged in a light place in open 

 ground, to be watered as required. The gen- 

 eral stock of plants is best repotted in August, 

 to prepare for winter woi'k. 



Begonias^ both fine foliage and flowering 

 varieties, should be potted into larger pots, as 

 required, giving slight shade to the foliage 

 varieties, and full sun to the flowering sorts. 

 Parnelli is a capital addition to the small foli- 

 age varieties. If large pot specimens of Cala- 

 diums are required, give the plants a good 

 shift into large pots or pans, using soil light 

 and coarse, with good drainage, these plants 

 requiring abundance of water. 



Permanent climbers on the roof may be al- 

 lowed to grow rather wild and natural at this 

 season, the partial shade being no disadvantage. 



3Iyosotis Imperatt'ice Elizabeth. — 



This exquisite Forget-me-not is recommended 

 by the Florist as a charming plant, and one of 

 the very best for pot culture. It is also one 

 of the best for cutting from for bouquets. It 

 is readily increased by dividing the young 

 shoots that the plants throw out after they 

 have done flowering. 



