THE COOL SECTION OF THE GREENHOUSE. 



but unlike the Primula the bulbs may 

 be kept on for several years until they 

 show weakness They may also be 

 bought as plants, but dormant bulbs are 

 undesirable, as the one point to be 

 observed is that they never be allowed 

 to dry out. 



About fourteen months is necessary 

 to bring the Cyclamen to blooming size. 

 Seed sown in October and given much 

 the same treatment as the Primula, will 

 produce strong plants which will bloom 

 freely in January and February the 

 second year. Sow the seed in flats, 

 barely covering with soil, keep in partial 

 shade at all times, give air at all stages 

 of growth, this is particularly necessary 

 as the blooming season approaches, 

 which may be prolonged by keeping an 

 even temperature, say 55 degrees at 

 night, and 60 during the day. Five de- 

 grees less will materially lengthen the 

 season of the Primula, which lacks the 

 substance of its beautiful contemporary. 

 It is not necessary to cover sown seeds 

 of the Cyclamen with glass. Never pot 

 the bulb deeper than scant half its 

 depth. 



The Azalea is a most satisfactory cool- 

 house plant, blooming freely at this sea- 

 son. Continued success depends en- 

 tirely on the proper treatment, which is 

 directly contrary to the advice given in 

 past years. After blooming give full ex- 

 posure to the sun in order to keep the 

 new growth healthy. After danger from 

 freezing pick off ihe seed pods, and pinch 

 back all uneven growths to keep the head 

 in good form, re-pot if necessary, and 

 plunge in the open ground for the sum- 

 mer, giving full exposure to the sun. 

 The best results will be attained where 

 the most syringing of the foliage is given, 

 with a decided under cut, during the hot 

 dry season. By this course the plants 



may be yearly increased in size and 

 value. 



Space will not admit detailing the 

 treatment of many other useful plants 

 for the coolhouse. Carnations planted 

 in shallow boxes do better than in pots, 

 the same may be said of roses. Swain- 

 sonia bears a pretty pea shaped flower 

 with delicate perfume. (lenista may be 

 added. The Clivia, an evergreen, bears 

 a gigantic truss as large as a child's head, 

 and if kept in an even temperature the 

 last flower will open before the first falls, 

 making a grand show for fully a month. 

 Cypripedium insigne brought in from 

 the warm section as the flower buds 

 open, will remain in bloom for three 

 months. 



If the size of the house will admit, the 

 following may also be given a place in 

 the collection : "English primrose, gera 

 nium, abutilon, fuschia, chrysanthe- 

 mum, nasturtium, and mignionette. 

 In bulbs the hyacinth, narcissus, cro- 

 cus, freesia, tulip, and some varieties of 

 iris, not forgetting Bermuda and Longi- 

 florum lilies, also the species Speciosum 

 about to be distributed by our Associa- 

 tion. 



The coolhouse if properly ventilated 

 at all times, and freely syringed in the 

 morning of all bright days, will be free 

 from insect pests, and may be a mass of 

 delicate beauty and brilliant colors from 

 December to April. 



If pressure of the advancing season 

 will admit, I hope later on to refer to the 

 intermediate house with a night tempera- 

 ture of sixty degrees, and also to a model 

 propagating house, with a combination 

 of hot water and flue, the ideal heating 

 system of my experience. 



H. H. r.OFF. 



Simcoe, Ont. 



73 



