

TIMELY TOPICS FOR THE AMATEUR.* 



Fig. 1767. Wm. Hunt, Hamilton. 



(ARCH ! stormy, fickle March ! 

 probably the most trying month 

 of the year for plant life, whether 

 in the garden, greenhouse or 

 its bright sunshiny clays, that often 

 lure the unwarj- plant lover into a feeling of 

 false security, the sudden and extreme drops 

 in temperature, and cold biting winds, seem 

 all to combine to bring disaster to our favor- 

 ites at a time when success seemed fully as- 

 sured. Many a fine collection of plants has 



window 



been almost ruined, after a winter's close 

 care and attention, by the delusive vagaries 

 of March weather. Moral ! watch the ther- 

 mometer outside closely, don't neglect fires 

 altogether, ventilate carefully, and do not for- 

 get to close sashes and ventilators early in 

 the day. 



The Greenhouse. — Cinerarias, Calceo- 

 larias, Cyclamens, Hyacinths, Narcissi, 

 Primulas, and perhaps a few blooms of 

 early flowering fancy Pelargoniums, will 

 make the greenhouse look gay at this time 

 of year. Zonale Pelargoniums should also 

 begin to make a display of bloom ; these lat- 

 ter should have a little manure water to help 

 them out if the pots are full of roots. The 

 bright yellow-flowered Genistas should still 

 brighten up the house with their golden 

 beauty ; a cool moist atmosphere suits these 

 plants best, as they continue in flower for a 

 much longer period than if grown in a high 

 temperature. The Genistas are easily propa- 

 gated by cuttings of the young growth, 

 taken soon after the plants are out of flower ; 

 the cuttings should be inserted in sand until 

 rooted, and then potted in rather sandy soil 



•Note. — It will be ueceBsary for our readers to make 

 some allowance regarding the time and dates ment'oned 

 for sowing seeds, etc.. and for outdoor work in the garden, 

 as this article is written more particularly for Sontbern On- 

 tario. 



