378 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



Namb of Plajv't. — The specimen is not sufficient for identification, or we should 

 haye been glad to oblige you. 



A Keen Rosarian. — Yon would most likely do well in New Zealand, as you 

 appear to possess the right kind of knowledge to enable you to make head way. 

 We cannot, however, undertake the responsibility of advising you to emigrate to 

 that or any other country. All the best roses have been introduced to New Zealand, 

 and if yon determine upon going there we should not advise tou to burden yourself 

 with trees, for they require very careful packing to ensure their safe transmission. 



FuNOTis ON Limestone. — £mel is troubled with a growth of fungus which forms 

 round white spots on a limestone parapet. When the spots are scraped a pale green 

 appears underneath. She is advised to apply sulphuric acid, and asks for advice on 

 the subject. Now, as regards the application of sulphuric acid, we can advise 

 at once that its employment will be decidedly injurious, and in respect of its 

 adoption therefore we say No. But Emel will again ask how shall I get rid of the 

 fungus? and we respond with another question — Why be uneasy about it ? why not 

 let it alone ? Wliat makes the difference between glaring new stone that people 

 speak of as raw, and feel troubled with because it is hard and sharp and cold, and 

 the comfort ible old stone that time has coloured and softened and warmed aqd 

 beautified ? See the new stonework in the mason's yard, and then look at similar 

 work in one of Sir Joshua's pictures, and demand of the philosophers an explanation 

 of the difference. We must be philosophers for Emel just now. Nature plants fungi 

 and lichens, and mosses, and liverworts, and ferns, and grasses, on limestone 

 surfaces, whether they are rough as rocSs or smooth as works of art, and these 

 humble vegetables ripen the balustrades, and urns, and steps, and all other stone- 

 work out of doors, and in so doing enhances their beauty. Our advice to Emel is to 

 leave the fungus alone and admire it. But if tliis is impossible, it may be advisable 

 to fcrape and scrub it off with hot brine, after which it will not be likely to appear 

 again. 



Caladicms. — K.K. — The safest course will be to shake the corms out of the old 

 soil, and after they have been laid in a dry room or on a shelf in the plant stove 

 for a da}- or two, put them in pots and fill in the space between thera with dry silver 

 Band. If the soil is at all wet the corms will perisli, and they will someiimes decay 

 when kept perfectly dry, but when buried in sand and placed in a temperature not 

 below 60'", but few will decay. The majority of the losses of corms during the 

 winter are caused by their being placed in a low temperature. 



Ungainly Fuchsias. — F.S. — As the plants are so ungainly that they cannot 

 well be pruned into shape, we would advise you to prune them back to within s few 

 inches of the surface of the soil. This may be done at once, for convenience of 

 wintering thera in a small space, and in the spring, when they commence the 

 season's growth, and have shoots from one to two inches in length, turn them out of 

 the pots, shake away the greater portion of the soil, and put them in pots one or 

 two sizes smaller. They will push up strongly from the bottom, and in the course 

 of the season make splendid bushes. 



Zokal Pelabgoniums in Frames, — Amateur. — As there is no means of heating 

 the frame by an ificial means, the greatest care possible in watering will be necessary 

 to prevent their damping off. They should have but little, if any water, from now 

 Hntil the middle of February next. They will not suffer any material injury if the 

 soil is allowed to become dust-dry, and remain so until the leaves Hag. 



Anthbricom Varieqatum. — Inquirer. — This is a pretty little greenhouse plant, 

 with elegant leafage marked with longitudinal bands of white. It was introduced 

 from tlie Cape of Good Hope about three years since, and has so far proved to be 

 perfectly hardy, but it will doubtlsss be best known as a greenhouse or frame plant. 

 It may be grown to a comparatively large size in small pots, and is well adapted 

 for indoor decorations, in combination with dark red or dsep green leafage. Any 

 ordinary potting compost will suit it, provided it is not too rich, and doubtless a 

 mixture consisting of equal p.irts turfy loam, peat, and leaf-mould will be found the 

 most suitable for promoting a free growth and developing the beautiful variegation. 



DracjEKas —B.R. — Di-acffinas are most valuable for enlivening the plant stoves 

 during the winter season, as well as for decorative purposes generally. With the 

 convenieuce of a plant stove they are not difficult of cultivation. They griw freely 

 in a mixture of turfy loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand. A light position and 

 liberal supplies of water are alike desirable. 



BO mp im 



