Calendar of Monthly Operations. 119 



rubbed off, or they will throw up suckers which will rob the 

 main stem of its nourishment. The chief batch of cuttings 

 should be inserted this month, and close attention paid to 

 those already in, and the potting of those requiring it. 

 Towards the end of the month, many will require shifting 

 into three and a-half inch pots. 



The soil for this potting should be good fibrous loam or 

 rotted sod, with a little sand and leaf -mold added. 



Chrysanthemum seed may also be sown this month in pans 

 or boxes, in slight bottom heat until the seedlings appear. As 

 soon as they appear, however, they should be placed close to 

 the glass on a shelf in the greenhouse or pit. If the green 

 fly appears, dust with snuff or tobacco powder. A still better 

 plan is to spread some tobacco stems or refuse from the to- 

 bacco factories upon the benches and among the plants, as the 

 fumes from this will keep the fly away. 



MARCH. 



During this month many things will need attention. Most 

 of the cuttings inserted in February will need potting and 

 many of them will require shifting into larger pots. Have all 

 the pots clean, especially on the inside, using a small piece of 

 crock in each pot of four-inch size and larger, and have the 

 soil rich and of such material as has been advised. Ex- 

 amine plants already potted, and if a vigorous growth has 

 commenced, stop them by nipping out the bud in the centre 

 of the shoot when bush plants are desired, but if standards 

 are wanted the side buds must be rubbed out, and the main 

 shoot encouraged in every way possible. Give abundance of 

 air and never let them become dry or pot-bound. The only 

 secret in their cultivation is to keep up a vigorous growth 

 from early spring until they are in bloom in your conservatory 

 or upon the stage of an exhibition hall. Continue propa- 

 gating throughout this month, securing all the cuttings possi- 

 ble of rare sorts and as many as are needed of other varieties. 



