TIMELY TOPICS FOR THE AMATEUR. 



285 



Fig. 1840. Pelargonium. 



Tobacco stems sprinkled under the benches, 

 dampened occasionally and renewed ever}- 

 two or three weeks, will keep down thrip — 

 an insect to be as much dreaded as red 

 spider amongst a collection of these plants. 

 If summer flowering- Tuberous, or Rex 

 Begonias, or Gloxinias are occupants of the 

 greenhouse, ventilation may be given more 

 freely, leaving the top ventilation open all 

 night. Oftentimes there is little else but a 

 climbing rose, planted out in a box or 

 border, that has of necessity to be left in 

 greenhouse during summer, or, perhaps, 

 some other climbing plant that requires to 

 be kept dormant so as to ripen its wood to 

 produce a supply of flowers in the winter. 

 In this case the house should be only 

 partially shaded, the top and bottom ventila- 

 tors should be kept open day and night, and 

 only sufficient water used to keep the roots 

 of the plant from drying out completely. 



The beautiful climbing Allamandas that 

 are sometimes seen in greenhouses, and 



that give their wealth of large golden 

 flowers so profusely during summer and 

 early autumn, require plenty- of shade, heat 

 and moisture to produce the best results 

 possible. 



Most varieties of winter flowering 

 Begonias succeed best, stood or plunged, out 

 of doors in partial shade during the hot 

 weather. 



Fancy Caladiums may, perhaps, need re- 

 potting into larger pots ; care must be 

 taken not to disturb the roots during the 

 operation. 



Chrysanthemums will require plenty of 

 water at the roots, and syringing once a day 

 in very dry weather. Tobacco stems spread 

 around near these plants will help keep 

 down the black aphis or fly. 



Fuchias require plenty of shade and water ; 

 a little weak liquid manure will help them to 

 continue flowering. 



Old leaves of Rex Begonias or Gloxinias 

 will strike readily in sand in the cutting bed. 

 In cutting these for striking leave about half 

 of the stem attached to the leaf, insert the 

 stem and a small portion of the leaf into the 

 sand. Keep the sand moist, but not 

 saturated with water. About half of the 

 outside of the Begonia leaf should be cut 

 away before inserting in the sand. Pot into 

 light sandy soil in small pots w^hen rooted. 



Early sown Cinerarias and Calceolarias 

 will require to be potted into small pots, or 

 transplanted into shallow boxes, as soon 

 as they are large enough to handle. A 

 sowing of both of these for later flowering 

 may be made now. A sash and frame in a 

 cool, shaded position out of doors is the best 

 place to start the seeds, also, to grow the 

 young plants, until they are taken into the 

 greenhouse in the autumn. 



Roses should be planted out on the 

 benches toward the end of the month if any 

 are grown in this way, but I do not consider 

 bench roses profitable in a small greenhouse 

 where a general collection of plants is grown. 



