216 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 



Dahlias.— Where the laterals are very numerous, they should he thinned out 

 so as to have vigorous hlooms. Towards the end of the month collect seed of the 

 early-blown flowers. 



Mignonette may now he sown in pots to hloom in winter. 



Pelargoniums, cuttings of, may now be put off'; plants of which will bloom in 

 May. 



Pinks, pipings of) if struck, may be taken off and planted in the situations 

 intended for blooming in next season. 



Plants of Herbaceous Calceolarias should now be divided, taking off offsets 

 and planting them in small pots. 



Verbena Melindris (chameedrifolia). Runners of this plant should now he 

 taken off; planting them in small pots, half filled with potsherds, and the rest 

 with good loamy soil, then placing them in a shady situation. It should be 

 attended to as early in the month as convenient. When taken iuto a cool frame 

 or greenhouse for winter protection, much of the success depends on being kept 

 near the glass; or sink a box or two, half filled with potsherds, and the other 

 good loamy soil, round the plant, so that the runners, being pegged down to the 

 soil, will soon take root at the joints. When a sufficient number are rooted, 

 separate the stems from the parent plant, and those in the boxes will be well 

 established, and, being removed before frost, are easily preserved in winter, as 

 done with those in puts. 



Plants of Chinese Chrysanthemums should be re-potted if necessary ; for if 

 done later, the blossoms v. ill be small. Use the richest soil. Pinch off the heads 

 to cause the production of laterals, so as to have a head of flowers. 



When Petunias, Heliotropium, Salvias, Pelargoniums (Geraniums), &c, that 

 have been grown in open borders, and it is desirable to have bushy plants for 

 the same purpose the next year, it is now the proper time to take off slips, and 

 insert a number in a pot ; afterwards place them in a hot-bed frame, or other 

 situation having the command of heat. When struck root, they may be placed 

 in a greenhouse or cool frame to preserve them from frost during winter. When 

 divided and planted out in the ensuing May in open borders of rich soil, the 

 plants will be stocky, and bloom profusely. 



Tigridia pavouia roots may generally be taken up about the end of the month. 

 Greenhouse plants will generally requite to be taken in by the end of the month. 

 If allowed to remain out much longer, the foliage will often turn brown from 

 the effect of cold air, &c. 



Plants of Pentstemons should be divided by taking off offsets, or increased by 

 striking slips. They should be struck in heat. 



The tops and slips of Pansies should now be cut off, and be inserted under a 

 hand glass, or where they can be shaded a little. They will root very freely, and 

 be good plants for next season. 



Lobelias.— Off-sets should be potted off, so as to have them well rooted before 

 winter. 



Greenhouse plants will generally require to be taken in by the end of the 

 month ; if allowed to remain out much longer, the foliage will often turn brown 

 from the effects of cold air. The earlier succulents are the better. 



Seeds of many kinds of flowers will he ripe for gathering this month. 



When Lilies, Crown Imperials, Narcissuses, &c, require dividing, take them 

 up now, and replant them immediately. 



Ranunculus beds should now be prepared as follows: — The depth of soil to be 

 two feet and a-half, of a rich, clayey, friable loam, retentive of moisture; about 

 mx or eight inches from the surface to be a rich light loam, of a sandy nature. 

 Remove the whole of the soil with the remains of 3 dung given last year, and 

 turn up the subsoil a whole spade in depth, breaking it well. If the beds are 

 allowed to remain in this state for a day or two to sweeten the subsoil, it will be 

 an advantage. Then place upon the subsoil a layer of cow-dung, at least one 

 year old. four inches thick ; then scatter over it the fine powder of new-slaked 

 iime, to correct any acidity and destroy the worms. Then fill up with new light 

 soil, taken fiom the surface of the old tulip-bed or potato-ground, which has been 

 frequently turned to Sweden it. 



