I'^2 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



and grown on until they can be planted out- 

 side in the border in June ; they will make 

 nice plants to pot up in the fall for next sea- 

 son's flowering". 



Cuttings of Stevias, Eupatoriums, Helio- 

 trope, Rex and winter flowering Begonias 

 should be taken now and grown on for next 

 winter's flowering, also cuttings of Coleus, 

 Ageratum, Achy ran thes, Alternantheras and 

 other bedding plants. Chrysanthemum cut- 

 tings started now have yet time to make good 

 sized plants, if treated liberally as regards 

 repotting. It is late for Carnation cuttings, 

 January and February are the best months for 

 these ; if a few are needed, place the cuttings 

 in sand, in a pot or shallow box, stand them 

 on a shelf near the glass, not in too sunny a 

 position, keep the cuttings well watered ; 

 you will be more successful with them than 

 if started in a cutting bed. Shade the cut- 

 ting bed during hot midday sun. Autumn 

 struck Geraniums should have their final pot- 

 ting into 4-inch pots. Dutch bulbs in 

 flower, Calla and Easter Lilies and all grow- 

 ing plants require plenty of water, especially 

 Spireas. Use tepid water, water thoroughly, 

 and only when needed, and early in the day. 



Old plants of Fuchsias that have been 

 kept dormant during winter should now be 

 brought out into the light, watered and 

 syringed occasionally to start them into 

 growth ; as soon as the buds appear cut the 

 tips of the old branches off" so as to make 

 the plant shapely, shake the plant out of the 

 pot, removing about half of the old soil, re- 

 pot into the same size or a size larger pot, 

 give them good, rich, light soil, water when 

 needed and syringe often. A partially 

 shaded position suits them best. F'reesias 

 should be kept growing after they have done 

 flowering until the foliage shows signs of 

 decay, then withold water gradually until the 

 foliage is pretty well yellow, when no more 

 water should be given them, the pots can 

 then be stood back on a shelf or put into the 

 potting shed, at a temperature of about 45% 



and kept quite dry until they are repotted in 

 July or August. Repot Palms, Cordylines 

 and Ferns if needed, and not already done. 

 Shade the plants slightly at midday to pre- 

 vent scalding, which often disfigures palms, 

 etc., badly at this time of year. 



Insect pests will increase rapidly as the 

 heat increases. Aphis and red spider will 

 probably be the most troublesome. Tobacco 

 water and fumigating with tobacco destroy 

 the Aphis or green fly most eifectually. 

 Light fumigations and frequent are better 

 than heavy fumigation ; dampen the tobacco 

 stems before using. Sprinkle the floors 

 liberally with water, syringe the plants well 

 and close the house early, so that the tem- 

 perature rises quickly ; this will help to keep 

 down the red spider. 



Seeds of Alyssum, Petunia, Verbena, Gold- 

 en Pyrethrum and Lobelia should be sown 

 at once for bedding purposes. A few Na- 

 sturtium seeds, two or three in a three-inch 

 pot, will come in useful for hanging baskets 

 and v'ases later on ; all other hanging basket 

 plants should be grown rapidly. Hydran- 

 geas, Oleanders, Agapanthuses and similar 

 plants that have been dormant during w^inter 

 should be brought out, cleaned up, and re- 

 potted if necessary. Tuberous Begonias 

 may be started at any time now. Ventilate 

 cautiously during early spring-. 



Window Plants. — Look out sharply for 

 insect pests, avoid cold draughts, give air 

 from windows in an adjoining room, rather 

 than directly on the plants ; lower the top 

 sash, there is less risk than in raising the 

 lower sash. Repot all plants that need it 

 that are required for summer growth or 

 flowering. Water the plants thoroughly 

 when needed, syringe frequently with tepid 

 water, choosing a warm sunny morning if 

 possible for both operations. A few pots of 

 flower seeds may be sown for early planting. 



Flower Garden. — Very little can be done 

 as a rule in the flower garden at this period, 

 unless spring is unusually early. Toward 



