of Rural Art and Taste. 



35 



is a wonderful showy variety, with scarlet 

 single flowers about one foot in diameter, 

 but as the plant is not handsome as a pot 

 specimen, it is neglected ; but where it can 

 be allowed plenty of room to grow in the bor- 

 der of a lofty greenhouse, it is gorgeous in 

 the extreme. There were two plants trained 

 on a wall of a glass-covered promenade at 

 Chatsworth which had reached a height of 

 about thirty feet, and in March each year 

 were covered from bottom to top with 

 flowers ; but we shall probably have to wait 

 until the large conservatories in Central 

 Park are erected before we shall see it fully 

 developed in this country. 



The Rose should also take a prominent 

 position among our flowering plants in March. 

 Those who have a forcing house, independent 

 of their cool house, will have plenty of flowers 

 at Christmas ; but from March the plants 

 will grow and flower freely in any ordinary 

 greenhouse. It is a pity the taste does not 

 turn to the fine variety of hybrid perpetual 

 Roses, as a variation from the Teas and China 

 varieties ; there is such a variety of color, 

 delicate perfume, and the flowers are so beau- 

 tiful when fully expanded — a remark which 

 does not apply to the tea section. I am 

 aware there is not the continual flowering, 

 but I would suggest to the lovers of Roses 

 they should try a few dozens of the perpetu- 

 als in pots, to bloom in early spring ; they 

 would be surprised at the brilliant colors 

 and large flowers, which in this climate are 

 seldom seen to perfection, from the flowering 

 season in the open ground being at the hot- 

 test season of the year. I have grown them 

 here, and can recommend them with confi- 

 dence. A few of the earliest varieties of 

 the Azalea will be now commencing to 

 flower, and will add much to the beauty of 

 the greenhouse ; the flowers also last longer 

 than later in the season, when the weather 

 is hotter. There are now so many very fine 

 varieties to be obtained at a cheap rate, it is 

 a pity to occupy the space with many of the 

 old fashioned sorts, with thin and bad shaped 

 flowers. 



It is a good plan to mix some whale oil 



soap and sulphur, about one ounce of the 

 former and half ounce of the latter to a gal- 

 lon of water, and give the plants a good 

 washing while at rest ; it prevents the rava- 

 ges of thrip and red spider, which, if not 

 kept in check, is troublesome when the 

 plants should be in full growth, and weakens 

 them much by causing the leaves to turn a 

 sickly color and fall ofi", so that the flowers 

 are neither so plentiful or so fine as on a 

 vigorous, healthy plant. I usually lay the 

 plant over a tub in such a way that the shoots, 

 which are very brittle, do not get broken, and 

 with a powerful syringe dash the mixture 

 thoroughly into every joint, and it usually 

 keeps the plants clean for the season. The 

 plants are turned on the sides to reach the 

 under side of the leaves, which is the general 

 hiding place for insects, and also to prevent 

 the water from dropping on the soil in the 

 pots ; for although not deleterious in itself, it 

 chokes the pores of the soil and prevents the 

 water from passing freely — a matter of great 

 importance in fine rooted plants like Azaleas. 

 I may add, it is not advisable to use this or 

 any other mixture on the foliage while the 

 growth is young and tender, and certainly 

 not when in flower ; the foliage of Azaleas 

 is very easily injured when in a young state, 

 and requires great care if necessary to fumi- 

 gate with tobacco at that time ; but if the 

 plants are clean before flowering, a free use 

 of the hose or syringe each day while grow- 

 ing is usually sufiicient to keep insects in 

 check. 



Hyacinths and Tulips will now be gay, and 

 will require frequent attention with water, if 

 expected to last some time in flower ; these 

 bulbs being generally grown in small pots, 

 it is a good plan to stand the pots in saucers 

 of water in which a pinch of guano may be 

 placed ; this will improve the size and color 

 of the flowers. 



Cyclamens will now be in full beauty; 

 these plants are gems, both for greenhouse 

 and room decoration, and if a little water is 

 allowed to stand in the saucers, in a warm 

 room with plenty of light, they will flower 

 as well as in a greenhouse ; but when t'he 



