THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 63 



Commence the general work of spring propagation by striking cuttings of petu- 

 nias, geraniump, verbenas, etc., for bedding out. Strong cuttings of geraniums 

 that were struck round the sides of pots in autumn, may be got into small pots, 

 and shifted on as fast as their new roots touch the sides. Lose no time in 

 forwarding everything for the different operations to come. Provide an abundant 

 supply of the various soils required, that all may be ready, and in a fit condition 

 for immediate use when wanted. Look closely after insects, especially green-fly 

 and red-spider, and remove plants affected to some convenient place, and fumi- 

 gate with sulphur and tobacco, as necessary. Average temperature this month, 

 45° at night, 50° to 60° by day. 



STOVE. 



The temperature this month should range from 50° to 60° by fire-heat, subject 

 to a rise from the power of the sun. Give air with care daily, but avoid cold 

 draughts near growing plants. Attend to the atmosphere cf the house ; keep it 

 healthy and somewhat humid, using water sparingly till you tnd the plants are 

 growing freely, when a more liberal supply will be necessary. Prune and repot 

 such plants as may require it. Eemove a portion of the old soil from Alleman- 

 dras, Clerodendrons, Stephanoti?, Dipladenias, a.:d others of similar habit, and 

 give a dressing of fresh soil, composed oi good turfy loam and peat, adding a little 

 leaf-mould, broken charcoal, and silver-sand. Grsneras, Achimenes, and Gloxinias 

 may be started into growth, using the same sort of compost as above, with the 

 addition of a little well-decomposed horse manure. 



PITS AND FBAMES. 



Look well after mildew, and dress with sulphur as soon as ifc appears. Young 

 plants must be carefully protected from frost, but at the same time should be kept 

 free from excess of damp. If the weather is not frosty, the lights may be wholly 

 withdrawn for some hours in the daytime. Clean and top-dress the plants, and 

 shift into t e greenhouse such as want a start. Eemove all dead leaves, and keep 

 the shelves or plunging material moderately dry. Water with caution, but take 

 care that no plant perishes for the want of it. Geraniums will require very little. 

 In fast, all tender plants that have been wintered in cold frames must have very 

 little water at present ; they may be growing in consequence of the mildness of 

 the weather, yet, as frost may visit us, much moisture will be injurious, and 

 losses may occur. Perns and calceolarias may have water freely if well drained. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Exotic Ferns. — Alpha. — Eepot these when just about t3 commence their new 

 seasonal growth. The soil must depend upon the species, but as a rnle turfy peat 

 two parts, and sandy loam one part, will grow stove ferns well. Some like rotted 

 wood, and they are all partial to leaf-mould. 



Wireworm and American Blight. — A correspondent writes : — Some time ago 

 these disgusting little animals infested my seakale to such an extent that all my 

 finest roots were eaten through and snapped off. What was to be dono ? No one 

 could tell me. Well, it struck me it was worth while to try a remedy which once 

 saved my celery from being disturbed by a grub which had fixed on its roots, and 

 that was :i good steeping of soapsuds ; and an admirable remedy it was, acting two 

 ways — killing the grub and benefiting as a manure. I therefore tried it on the 

 seakale, and found it most effectual, completely clearing the plant of the wirevvorm, 

 and making it grow and flourish. I have now followed out this plan for years, and 

 have a barrel fixed on wheels, into which the laundry-maids pour the suds, and the 

 gardener takes them into the garden, and applies them where wanted. The slugs 

 too attack a variety of thing?, but the suds are effectual in destroying all these 

 enemies, and, as I have already observed, is useful as a manure. You may apply 

 suds also witli a paint-bi mh to your applo trees when infested with Araerioan blight, 

 though for this purpose a lather of soft-soap is better. 



Fruit Tbees on Walls. — J. P. — Everything in tho way of soil and situation 

 may be for the hist, but this is of no avail if tho trees are.infested with insects. No 



February. 



