THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 371 



size of the pots in which he intends to bloom them, and until they 

 are put into these, they should be repotted immediately the roots 

 form a close net-work round the outside of the ball. Bach shift 

 should be into pots two sizes larger than those previously occupied ; 

 and, to make everything as plain as possible, I would add, that the 

 most suitable sized pots iu which to bloom celosias are those niue, 

 eleven, and twelve inches in diameter, the intermediate size being, 

 perhaps, the most suitable for the amateur. When these pots are 

 well filled with roots, rather weak liquid manure should be applied 

 alternately with clear, soft water, and the supply continued until 

 they are fully in bloom They may be flowered in eight or even 

 six-inch pots ; bat in these it is impossible to develope the true 

 character of this distinct and ornamental plant. 



The seed may be sown in February and the two following months; 

 but the most suitable period for seed-sowing is that comprised within 

 the first and second weeks in March. Sow in shallow pans, in pre- 

 cisely the same manner as you would seed of primulas, or other 

 choice things. Cover the seed with a mere dusting of soil, then lay 

 a sheet of glass over the pans, and place in a propagating or cucum- 

 ber pit. AVhen the young plants are plainly visible above the sur- 

 face, remove the glass, and as soon as they are large enough to 

 handle, prick them oft' into thumb-pots, and shift on as already 

 advised. They do exceedingly well in the same temperature and 

 with the same degree of atmospheric humidity as melons and cu- 

 cumbers, and, by mentioning this fact, I shall perhaps do more 

 service than by giving a table of temperatures for various stages of 

 groivth. They should be exposed to the full light throughout, and 

 Beceive abundant supplies of water at the roots. It may be added 

 that the plumes will remain bright and fresh for a long time after 

 their removal from the plants, and are well adapted for dinner-table 

 and every other form of indoor decoration. 



THE CHRYSANTHEMUM IN 1875. 



IHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETIES have of late years 

 multiplied so rapidly, and the exhibitions have become 

 so numerous, that it is quite impossible to do more in 

 these pages than speak of them in a general way. As 

 will have been seen in the list published in the issue of 

 the Floral World for November, there have been several exhibi- 

 tioHS in all the weeks excepting the first, anA a brief report of each 

 would require a whole number, and, owing to their similarity, the 

 reports would be wearisome to our readers. We shall, therefore, 

 content ourselves by saving that the finest exhibitions were those 

 held at Brixton, Stoke Newington, Bristol, and Woolwich, and give 

 the names of the finest varieties staged at these shows. The Jioyal 

 Horticultural Society's exhibition was, so far as the chrysanthemums 

 were concerned, of a very iiidiflerent character ; and if it had not 

 been for the large display of winter fruits, it would have been a very 



