SECOND WEEK IN APRIL 



spot, well drained, however, in winter ; they bloom in May, 

 and should be grown in a tub which is not sunk to the rim 

 in soil, as they are specially liable to the attacks of slugs and 

 snails, and need much vigilance in the early spring to save 

 their tender growths from these marauders. The best 

 protection which can be afforded them is to surround them 

 with a band of perforated zinc, about 6 inches high, which 

 should enter the soil to the depth of 2 inches. None of the 

 slimy tribe will venture to touch this barrier, for zinc gives 

 out a poison when in contact with moisture. The band 

 should be made into a circle by means of fine wire, and may 

 be of any convenient size, from 4 inches in diameter to the 

 circumference of the tub, inside the wood-work. 



The cypripediums above mentioned all prefer a semi- 

 shade, being usually found in woods in their native places 

 and in moist positions. They are covered with snow for 

 months in Canada, and so escape the effects of the severe 

 frost ; it is desirable to protect them in our winter climate 

 with a conical pile of fine ashes, about 6 inches high, placed 

 over their roots in November, and the bog should be allowed 

 to become fairly dry until March, when growth begins. 



Another singular bog plant is the huntsman's horn 

 (Sarracenia purpurea), a pitcher plant from North America, 

 with curious blood-red leaves forming horn-like pitchers 

 in a close tuft about i foot in height ; it should have a 

 compost of fibrous peat and chopped sphagnum moss, and 

 the tips of this moss (cut off whilst it is alive and fresh) 

 should be laid over the roots of the pitcher plant to keep 

 them thoroughly moist, where the moss will take root, if 

 well watered, making a good contrast in tint to the 

 crimson pitchers. 



S. flava maxima is a pitcher plant which is hardy enough 

 to do well in the open air during the summer months. 

 The large flowers of this sarracenia are in bright yellow, 

 and the leaves form pitchers marbled with crimson, into 

 which a quantity of flies and other insects will be attracted. 

 The droseras (sundew), too, are fly-traps, the surface of 

 their leaves being covered with a hairy mass, in which 



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