February 



later on pot them singly into a compost consisting chiefly of leaf- 

 mould until the flowering size is reached, when a proportion of 

 decayed cow-manure should be added. The Fuchsia is a gross 

 feeder, and must have abundance of food and water. Aphis and 

 thrips are persistent enemies of this plant, and will need constant 

 attention. - 



Geranium seed may be sown at any time of the year, but there 

 are good reasons why the months of February and August should 

 be chosen. Seedlings raised now will make fine plants by the end 

 of June, and begin to flower in August. They are robust in habit, 

 and from a reliable strain there will be a considerable proportion ,of 

 handsome specimens. Sow in pans filled with soil somewhat rough 

 in texture, and the surface need not be very smooth. Lightly cover 

 the seed with fine loam. To have plants ready for flowering in the 

 summer it will be necessary to give the seed-pans a temperature of 

 60 or 70, and follow the usual practice of pricking off and potting 

 the seedlings. 



Gladiolus. It is not common to grow this noble flower from 

 seed, but the task is simple, and seed good enough to be worth the 

 experiment is obtainable. In large pots, well drained and filled with 

 fibrous loam and leaf-mould, dibble the seeds separately an inch apart 

 and half an inch deep. A temperature of 65 or 70 will bring them 

 up, and when they reach an inch high the heat should be gradually 

 reduced. The seedlings need not be transplanted, but may remain 

 in the same pots until the grass dies down, and the corms are sifted 

 out in September or October. Flowers must neither be expected 

 nor allowed until the third season. 



Gloxinia. The directions under January are applicable, but 

 it will be necessary to provide shade for the seedlings as the sun 

 becomes hot, especially after they have been re-potted. 



Lobelias occupy a foremost place for bedding, and are suffi- 

 ciently diversified to meet many requirements. Indeed, there is no 

 other blue flower which can challenge its position. The compact 

 class is specially adapted for edgings ; the spreading varieties answer 

 admirably in borders where a sharply defined line of colour is not 

 essential ; the gratilis strain has an elegant effect in suspended 

 baskets, window-boxes, and rustic work ; and the ramosa section 

 grows from six to twelve inches high, producing large flowers. All 

 these may be sown now as annuals, to produce plants for bedding 

 out in May. Put the seed into sandy soil, and start the pans in a 

 gentle heat. 



333 



