THE FLOKAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 305 



THE CINERARIA. 



HE variation of colours and profusion of bloom borne by 

 these generous plants, truss following truss for a long 

 series of time, render it particularly desirable as an 

 ornamental plant. The cultivation is by no means 

 difficult. About the beginning of May, or there- 

 abouts, allowing a few days for the variation of season, I take 

 the offsets and plant them in a prepared compost of leaf-mould, 

 loam, peat, and sand, equal parts of each, providing also a good 

 drainage of crocks, or small brick rubbish. When potted, I place 

 them in a frame with a gentle bottom-heat. Offsets are always to 

 be preferred while they can be had ; when not the case, take cut- 

 tings, which will root well in sand, and as soon as fit, pot them in 

 the compost spoken of above, and endeavour to get them established as 

 soon as possible ; when this is accomplished, I gradually expose 

 them to the atmosphere, till fit to remove into a cold frame, allow- 

 ing them to enjoy the sun till about nine o'clock in the morning, 

 when they may have a sprinkling overhead, and the lights be drawn 

 on, and be shaded with mats, leaving air at back and front. About 

 four or five o'clock in the after part of the day, give them another 

 syringing overhead, and close the frame for about an hour, when 

 they may be uncovered, and, if favourable weather, the light may be 

 left off all night. When the roots fill the pots, they should be re- 

 potted, adding to the compost named above a little well-decomposed 

 cow or horse manure. The plants require daily attention as regards 

 watering, and now and then, while growing freely, may have a little 

 liquid manure of moderate strength, but avoid wetting the foliage. 

 As they advance in growth they will sometimes require stopping 

 back ; but when the shoots are of sufficient length, they should be 

 tied out to small neat sticks, so that the middle of the plants may 

 receive light and air. As autumn comes on, watering over the 

 foliage should be discontinued ; but carefully attend to keeping the 

 soil at a proper state of moisture, to secure the plant in health. 

 The plant should be continued in a cool frame, and as close up to 

 the glass as can be conveniently done without coining in contact 

 with it. During the daytime, indulge them with as much air as you 

 can do with safety ; guarding against excess of wet, or sudden 

 storms, likely to do mischief; cover up at night, giving a little air 

 at the back of the lights. As the season advances, and the trusses 

 begin to swell with buds, they should be removed to the greenhouse, 

 alio wine as much li<:ht and air as the situation will afford. For 

 early (lowering, a few may be placed in the stove. The pest, the 

 green-fly, about this time, attacks them wholesale, and must be well 

 guarded against ; fumigation with tobacco should be applied the 

 moment they are discovered. Under careful treatment, these plants 

 will continue to furnish innumerable trusses of bloom, from October 

 till the end of April. Summer offsets, or cuttings, that is, if taken 

 in July or August, and treated alter the manner recommended, will 

 flower in May and June; thus may the blooming period of this 

 beautiful flower be extended for at least seven or eight months out 

 of the twelve. 



O t.,ber. 20 



