February 



Alpine varieties should be sown in pans filled with sweet sandy loam 

 or peat. They may be started in gentle heat, but it is really needless. 

 The Auricula is thoroughly hardy against cold, and glass is only 

 employed as a protection against wind, heavy rain, and atmospheric 

 deposits. 



Begonia, Tuberous-rooted. Seed may still be sown for a 

 summer display. Transplant seedlings which are ready, and later on 

 pot them singly. 



Calceolaria, Shrubby. Seeds sown in pans placed in a frame 

 or a greenhouse of moderate temperature will insure plants for outdoor 

 summer decoration. Transfer the seedlings to pots quite early. 



Celosia plumosa. Seed may either be sown now or in March, 

 and the routine recommended for Cockscombs will develop splendid 

 plumes ; but in this case the dwarfing practice by means of the knife 

 is neither practicable nor desirable. 



Chrysanthemums of the large-flowering perennial type can be 

 raised easily from seed, and if sown now in a moderate heat, the 

 plants will flower the first season. Pot the seedlings immediately 

 they are ready, then harden, and put them out of doors as early as 

 may be safe. This treatment will keep them dwarf and robust. 

 Seedlings should not be stopped, but be allowed to grow quite 

 naturally. Those that do not flower the first season will do so in the 

 second year. The well-known Paris Daisy (Marguerite) is a perennial 

 Chrysanthemum, and it is the only one which is not quite hardy. 



Cockscomb. The ideal Cockscomb is a dwarf, well-furnished 

 plant, with large, symmetrical, and intensely coloured combs. Seed 

 of a first-class strain will produce a fair proportion of such plants in 

 the hands of a man who understands their treatment. Sow in seed- 

 pans filled with rich, sweet, friable loam, and place in a brisk 

 temperature. Transfer the seedlings very early to small pots, and 

 shift on until the size is reached in which they are to flower. 

 Directly they become root-bound the combs will be formed, and 

 having been grown entirely in heat, it is not improbable that the 

 plants may be much too tall. If so, fill pots with suitable soil, using 

 a size smaller than those already occupied ; cut off the heads with a 

 sufficient length of stem, remove a few of the lower leaves, and insert 

 the stems firmly in the new pots. Place them on a hot-bed kept 

 close and shaded for a few days, and if the specimens have been 

 judiciously chosen and skilfully treated, there will be grand combs 

 on dwarf plants. 



Dahlia, Double, can be grown and flowered from seed as a 



