MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 23 



MONTHLY FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR 



FOR MARCH. 



Annuals, Hardy, — if the soil be moderately dry may be sown in warm 

 parts of the country, or situations well protected, early in the month, but in 

 cold places not until the end of the month ; for if the seeds of many sorts 

 have begun to vegetate, and frost operate upon them, they are often destroyed. 

 The best method of sowing the small seeds in patches is, to have a quantity 

 of finely sifted soil; spread a portion where desired, after scattering the seeds, 

 sprinkle a little more soil over them, and theu press it closely upon the seeds, 

 which will assist them in vegetating properly. 



Annuals, Tender — (see list, page 21.) — Such as have been sown and may 

 be up, should have all possible air given to prevent their being drawn up 

 weakly. In watering those in pots they must not be watered over the tops, 

 or many of the sorts will be rotted by it. The best method is to flood over 

 the surface of each pot, always using water that is new milk warm. Those 

 annuals sown in frames must be watered (when requisite) with a very fine 

 syringe, or pan rose to sprinkle with; but the best plan is to take advantage 

 of gentle rains. For any seeds yet requiring to be sown use fine soil pressed to 

 the seeds, and when convenient, place the pots (if used) in moist heat till the 

 plants are up. 



Auriculas. — Those requiring top dressing should be done immediately, by 

 taking ofl' about two inches deep of the top soil, and replace it with some very 

 rich, more than one-half of it should be rotten cow dung two years old, and 

 the rest loam aud sand. Immediately after this dressing let the soil be well 

 settled by a free watering. By the end of the month the unexpanded blossoms 

 will be nearly full grown; no water must be allowed to fall upon them, or the 

 blossoms would be liable to suft'er injury by it. All possible air may be ad- 

 mitted to the plants during the day, only screen from cutting frosty winds. 



Carnations. — At the end of the month, the last year's layers kept in pots 

 or beds, during winter, should be planted off into large pots 12 inches wide at 

 the top, 6 at the bottom, and 10 deep. In each pot three plants may be 

 placed triangularly, not planting deeper than to fix them securely. The fol- 

 lowing compost is most suitable: — 2 barrows full of fresh yellow loam, 3 of 

 well-rotted horse dung, and half a barrow full of river sand, well mixed ; plant 

 in it without sifting, but breaking very well with the spade; place the plants 

 in a sheltered situation out of doors. 



Dahlias — If not already put into excitement, should be done as early as 

 pos.sible, (see page 3.) Seeds should also be sowu, placing them in a hotbed 

 frame till up. 



HyDRANGEAS. — Cuttings may now be taken oft', cutting oflF the tops of any 

 shoots that have very plump leading buds, about one inch below the bud of 

 each cutting. These inserted, each into a small pot, aud placed iu moist heat, 

 will soon strike root, aud will, with future proper treatment, bloom one fine 

 head each, most strikingly beautiful. 



Pelargoniums. — Cuttings now put in, struck in a hotbed frame, and potted 

 off as soon as they have taken root, will bloom during autumn. 



Polyanthuses — should now be top dressed, as directed for Auriculas, only 

 the soil used need not be so rich. Seed may now be sown ; the best method 

 is to raise it iu heat, harden gradually, and transplant when large enough. 



Ranunculuses — should now be planted, taking care no fresh applied dung 

 is in the soil, nor should the ground to plant in be lightened up more thau 

 two inches deep. The soil of the bed should be half a yard deep at the least. 

 The best roots for flowering are such as have the crowns high and firm, with 

 regular placed claws.* 



Rose Trees — not yet pnined, if allowed to remain untouched till the new 

 shoots of the present coming season be about an inch long, and be then short- 



• Since writing the obovc, an excellent inelliod of cultivating this delightful flower 

 lias Ux'u givou us; it will appear u«xt luoulb.— Condixtor, 



