BiO GARDEN MANAGEMEXT. 



re-pot, and plunge into a bottom-heat of 75° or 80° : or they will start very 

 nicely on a stone shelf. The rapidity of the change from semi-death to vigorous 

 life is like a resurrection. I grow many hundreds of these charming plants, 

 And find that this treatment suits them admirably. A list of the best 

 varieties will be given soon, with a full monograph of their culture. Start a 

 few pots of Caladiums. — Their adder-tongued-looking leaves have a striking 

 effect, and, with foresight, some may be had throughout the year. Keep 

 dormant plants quite &ry. In this state they are liable to damp and rot. 

 The beautiful Argyrites is often killed by attempting to keep the plant in 

 leaf all winter, and by watering it to secure this object. Nature tells them 

 all to rest for three or four months, and they will sooner perish than grow. 



959. Orchids. — As soon as these begin to grow, a general potting should 

 take place. The beautiful palm-like leaved cyrtopodiums should be shaken 

 out and potted in a compost of equal parts loam, leaf-mould, turfy peat, 

 sand, broken crocks, and charcoal. They are noble-looking plants. Bletias 

 may be treated in the same manner, using more loam, however, for them 

 and the beautiful dove-plant, Peristeralata. Plunge Aerides, Vandas, &c., 

 in water, when their flower-stems appear, until they are thoroughly 

 soaked. Shift into fresh baskets Longaras, Brassias, Cropegias, &c. Keep 

 Oncidiums rather dry at present. The beautiful old Goodyera discolor 

 will now be in fuU blossom. Its striking dark purple- veined leaves, and noble 

 heads of pure white blossom, make it still a charming object. Clean all plants 

 when in a dormant state, and secure a moist growing atmosphere of 70° to 75°. 

 The mechanic and cottager who have no houses may make their windows very 

 gay by taking up a few patches of crocuses, violets, hepaticas, pinks, &c., 

 carefully potting them, and placing them in a sunny window. 



§ 8.— FRriT-CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



960. The changeable temperature of the early spring months is a source of 

 immense anxiety to the gardener. From cloud to sunshine, and from sun- 

 shine to storm ; warm days succeeded by frosty nights, and cold winds by 

 perfect calms, are constant occurrences, and keep the gardener and his 

 assistants continually in a state of uncertainty. It is one of the greatest 

 trials to a master, as men ■will often look up to the sky, measure the 

 size of the cloud, and calculate time in favour of their own indolence. 

 I have often made my youngsters fetch a pair of steps and thrust them up 

 among vines, figs, and strawberries, to enable them to feel what the plants 

 were enduring. Five minutes' penance in ' such a position, without hat, 

 cap, or coat, proves a very efficient lesson to young gardeners. By 

 all means scan the sky, measure the size and obsei-ve the direction, 

 of these black clouds, heavily laden with their freight of hail or snow, 

 but only for the purpose of being on the spot the moment they 

 impinge on the sun's rays, and of being at your post before they have 

 quite passed over. With every attention and skill, proper ventilation is a. 



