FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH, 95 



Ranunculuses and Anemonies. — -When the plants make their 

 appearance and are risen an incli or two high, care must be paid to 

 have the soil pressed closely arountl them with the hands, stopping up 

 any holes made by worms, &c. A top dressing too of rich compost, 

 free from wireworm, is very beneficial. If common large worms exist 

 in tlie bed, they may be collected by the hand at night. If allowed to 

 remain they are very injurious. Showers of rain are very beneficial for 

 their growth ; if none fall, occasional watering, with soft water, should 

 be given. Well-water is injurious. Weak manure water occasionally 

 poured between the plants contributes to vigour. If severe frost 

 should occur, cover at night. 



Tulips. — Stir the surface of the bed an inch deep. Protect from 

 frost, and strong wind, also from the mid-day sun, say from ten till 

 four o'clock. 



Carnations and Picotees. — If not potted off the end of last 

 month, they should be done immediately. See last month's Calendar 

 for compost, &c. 



Hyacinths should be protected from frost, sun, and wind ; secure by 

 tying to proper supports. Stir up the surface soil. 



Pansies in beds must have the soil pressed around the plants, and a 

 top dressing of rich soil an inch or two thick will be beneficial. New 

 beds of them should also be planted. 



Chrysanthemums. — Procure pieces of the shortest of the young 

 shoots from the base of the old stems, with as much root as practicable ; 

 pot them in very small pots, and place them on a gentle bottom heat 

 till they are well rooted ; then gradually harden them, and pot them 

 on during the summer according to the size the plants are required. 

 You may do this as soon as you please. If there are not short pieces, 

 take off the tops of the shoots and plant them as cuttings. 



Balsams, Cockscombs, Globe Amaranthuses, &c., that require potting 

 off, or re-potting should be duly attended to ; also Thunbergias, Brow- 

 allias, Lobelias, Brachycoma, &c. Seedling Fuchsias, Verbenas, Pe- 

 tunias, &c., should be potted off singly. Dahlias too should be placed 

 so as not to be drawn up weakly. Achimeneses must be potted off 

 singly. See Articles on Culture in previous Numbers.) Tender 

 Annuals as Stocks, Zinnias, &c., sliould be placed in a cool frame or 

 pit to prevent them being drawn up weakly. Where it is practicable 

 to prick out such as Stocks, Asters, &c , upon beds, and protect with 

 frames, it should be done, it gives a robust growth to them. Cut- 

 tings of Fuchsias, Petunias, Verbenas, and many other greenhouse 

 plants should now be put off. 



ZH THE COI.D TJtATaH, GBSESTHOVSS, &.C. 



Admit all the air possible. Re-pot Lobelias, Figridias, Geraniums, 

 Verbenas, and other similar plants for beds. All other kinds of plants 

 requiring re-potting should now be done, (see compost, &c., in last 

 month's Calendar). Such as are straggling, &c., should be cut in to 

 render them bushy. Camellias, when done blooming, examine the 

 roots and, if necessary, re-pot, (see Articles upon, for soil, &c.,) then 



