CHAP. VIII VILLA GARDENING 187 



sand and crushed charcoal added to make it porous, will suit them 

 well. In potting, the crown of the bulb must be kept well above 

 the soil, as the damp injuriously aftects it when buried too deeply. 

 Careful watering is necessary, especially when in flower, and green- 

 fly must be Avatched for and promptly destroyed. 



CHAPTER VIII 



The Cineraria. — Seedlings of these are now so good from 

 carefully-selected strains that it is scarcely necessary to grow named 

 kinds for house decoration merely. Sow in March for autumn 

 blooming, about the middle of April for flowering in winter, and 

 again early in June for spring display. The March sowing should 

 be placed in a hotbed, and the April stock also shoidd be raised in 

 a gentle heat. The Jime plants will succeed very well on a shelf 

 in the greenhouse, with a piece of glass over the pot or pan. As 

 soon as the little plants aj^pear, stand the pots near the glass, but 

 shade from bright sunshine. When strong enough to handle, 

 prick oS into pans an inch apart, and as soon as more space is 

 required pot oft" singly into 3-inch pots. After they are fairly 

 started on a separate existence. Cinerarias do not require artificial 

 heat. A close frame, with the bottom thickly strewn with coal- 

 ashes, is the best place. When the sun gains power, stand the 

 frame in a cool partially -shaded position and allow plenty of 

 space for the plants to grow, so that the leaves do not touch. 

 Plenty of water at the roots and a moist atmosiihere are essential 

 to clean rapid growth. Shift the plants on into larger pots as 

 they require it, ventilating freely to induce sturdy vigorous growth, 

 drawing the lights oft" altogether in warm weather. Two-thirds 

 turfy loam to one of old hotbed manure, adding sand or crushed 

 charcoal to give the necessary porosity, seems exactly the soil 

 to meet their requirements. If kept too warm and close, or 

 permitted to suft'er for want of water, green-flies soon make their 

 appearance ; their presence may be looked upon as evidence of the 

 plants having received a check, or of some irregularity in their 

 treatment. If insects should attack them the only course is to 

 fumigate with Tobacco ; and as the leaves are tender and very 

 susceptible to injury from an overdose, the operation must be 

 done with care. Wlien the leaves are quite dry, give two or three 

 smokings, with an interval of a day or two between, rather 

 than run any risk of overdoing it. In dealing with insect 

 pests, promptitude is a great virtue. Nice decorative plants may 

 be grown in 6-inch pots, and 8-inch pots will sufiice for larger 



