Calceolaria 



for a brief period of direct sunshine will prove certain and speedy 

 destruction. Do not allow the plants to become dry for a moment, 

 but give frequent gentle sprinklings of water, and rain-water is pre- 

 ferable. As the soil hardens, stir the surface with a pointed stick, 

 not too deep, and give water a few hours after. About a month of 

 this treatment should find each plant in the possession of four or five 

 leaves. Then prepare thumb pots with small crocks, cover the crocks 

 with clean moss or coarse cocoa-nut fibre, and fill with rich porous soil. 

 To these transfer the plants with extreme care, lifting each with as 

 much soil adhering to the roots as a skilful hand can make them 

 carry. Place them in a frame, or in the sheltered part of a green- 

 house, quite free from dripping water. Always give air on suitable 

 days, and on the leeward side of the house. 



Keep a sharp look-out for aphis, to the attacks of which Calceo- 

 larias are peculiarly liable. Tobacco smoke is the best remedy, and 

 it should be given in the evening ; a still atmosphere renders the 

 operation more certain. Water carefully on the following morning, 

 and shade from the sun. 



By September the plants should be in large 6o-pots, and it is then 

 quite time to begin the preparation for wintering. Some growers put 

 them on heat, and are successful, but the heat must be very moderate, 

 and even then we regard the practice as dangerous. Place the plants 

 near the glass, and at one end of the house where they will obtain 

 plenty of side light, as well as light from above. During severe 

 frosts it may be well to draw them back or remove them to a shelf 

 lower down and towards the centre of the house, but they must be 

 restored as soon as possible to the fullest light obtainable, as they 

 have to do all their growth under glass. The more air that can 

 safely be given, the better, and dispense with fire-heat if a temperature 

 of 45 to 55 can be maintained without it. 



When growth commences in the spring, which will generally be 

 early in March, give each plant its final shift into 8- or jo-inch pots. 

 This must be done before the buds push up, or there will be more 

 foliage than flowers. 



The following is the compost we advise : one bushel good 

 yellow loam, half-bushel leaf-soil, one gallon silver sand, a pound of 

 Sutton's A i Garden Manure, and a pint of soot, well mixed at least 

 ten days before use. Any sourness in the soil will be fatal to flower- 

 ing. The mould must be carefully * firmed ' into the pots, but no 

 severe pressure should be employed, or the roots will not run freely. 

 Neglect as to temperature or humidity will have to be paid for in 



227 ' Q 2 



