MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 311 



a double- roofed one, I have a broad shelf over the centre walk, suspended about 

 two feet from the glass, and I place them upon it, there they get light and air, 

 and are protected from the frost. As the plants fill the pots with roots, I have 

 them re-potted, so as to keep them increasing in growth, for if allowed to be 

 stinted they push weakly lateral shoots, which would bloom inferior. About the 

 first week in March I give them a final potting, the pots being from ten to 

 twelve inches in diameter, I then put them in a frame, give plenty of air front 

 and back, and keep them from hot sun, shading from nine in the morning to five 

 in the afternoon. Early in April flower-stems begin to push, I take such plants 

 into the greenhouse, give them air and light, aud a good supply of water, over- 

 head as well as roots, shading them overhead too, and securing the shoots as 

 they push, so as to retain only a proper proportion for blowing. The sprinkling 

 overhead with soft water is a very essential attention when the plants are in a 

 growing state ; of course not over the blossom when they arc in bloom. When 

 the blooming season is over I cut off decayed flower stems, and have the plants 

 placed in a sheltered situation, but a sunshine is very injuriousto the C ilceolaria, 

 1 have them in the shade, but where a due decree of air is afforded. I occa- 

 sionally gave manure water to the roots, which is very beneficial, but never put 

 manure in the compost. The soil I grow them in is equal portions of good turfy 

 loam and very sandy peat, using them in a chopped and broken condition, never 

 sifted. A very free drainage is essential. 



A Practical Man. 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER. 



Plant Stove. — Roses, Honeysuckles, Jasmines, Persian Lilacs, Azaleas, 

 Rhododendrons, Carnations, Pinks, Primroses, Mignonette, Stocks, Aconites, 

 Persian Irises, Crocuses, Cyclamens, Rhodoras, Cinerarias. Hyacinths, Ribeses, 

 Sweet Violets, Lily of the Valley, Correas, Deutzias, Mezereums, Hepaticas, 

 Gardenias, &c, required to bloom from January, should be brought in early in 

 (he present month. The plants should be placed at first in the coolest part of 

 the house ; never allow them to want water. Pots or boxes containing bulbous- 

 rooted flowering plants, as Hyacinths, Narcissus, Persian Irises, Crocuses, &c, 

 should occasionally be introduced, so as to have a succession of bloom. Many 

 persons who take a delight in growing some showy Hyacinths or other bulbous 

 plants for adorning a room or window, &c, in winter or early in spring, have been 

 frequently disappointed by the abortiveness of some and weakness of others. 

 This principally arises from the inability of the plant to develop itself with a 

 rapidity equal to the quantity of moisture it imbibes on account of its upper 

 surface being acted upon too immediately by the atmosphere, &c. ; hence arises 

 the necessity of covering the bulb. That such is a fact is evidenced by the 

 admirable and certain success of nearly every bulb, especially Hyacinths, that is 

 covered with about six inches of old spent bark. This or some similar light 

 material should always be used. Even bulbs intended to bloom in ghsses we 

 prefer starting in the old bark, and then transferring them to the glasses when 

 the shoots are about two inches long. Where such covering is not adopted, it 

 is of advantage to have the pots or glasses kept in a dark place till the shoots 

 are two or three inches long. Cactus plants that have been kept out of doors, or 

 in the greenhouse, should occasionally be brought into the stove for flowering, 

 which gives a succession. If any of the forced plants be attacked with the green 

 fly, a syringe with diluted tobacco-water will destroy them. If the leaves 

 appear bit, and turn brown (the effect of damage by red spider), a syringe of 

 soap-suds at the under side of the leaves is effectual to destroy them. The glu- 

 tinous substance remaining not only kills those it is applied to, but prevents 

 others returning there. The old Eranthemum pulchellum with its fine blue 

 flowers, J usticia speciosa, Gesneriae Zebrina. Justicia pulcherrima, and Appel. 

 land 1 1a cristata, are fine winter ornamental blooming plants. 



Gheknhouse.— As much fire as will barely keep out frost will be necessary, 

 and for the purpose of drying up damp arising from foggy nights, . r from 

 watering. All possible air should be admitted in the day-time, but mind to keep 



