Flowers all the Year Round 



Ricinus. The Castor-oil Plant is largely cultivated for its 

 striking ornamental foliage, and under generous treatment it will 

 attain from four to six feet in height. It is a half-hardy annual, and 

 should be grown in the same manner as Tobacco. 



Salpiglossis merits its increasing popularity. A sowing at the 

 end of this month or the beginning of March will insure plants in 

 condition for the open ground in May. A moderate hot-bed is 

 requisite now, but in April the seed may be sown on prepared 

 borders for a summer display of the veined and pencilled flowers. 



Solanum. The varieties which are grown for winter decora- 

 tion are much prized when laden with their bright-coloured berries. 

 Sow the several kinds in heat, and transfer the seedlings straight to 

 single pots filled with very rich soil. 



Tobacco. Where sub-tropical gardening is practised this plant 

 is indispensable. To develop its fine proportions there must be the 

 utmost liberality of treatment from the commencement. Either in 

 this month or early in March sow in rich soil, and place the pans in 

 a warm house or pit. Put the seedlings early into small pots, and 

 promote a rapid but sturdy growth, until the weather is warm enough 

 for them in the open ground. 



Vallota purpurea. This handsome bulbous plant is not quite 

 hardy, but in several of the Southern counties it may be grown in 

 the open ground, with only the shelter of dry litter or a mat. In 

 pots the bulbs should not be allowed to go dry through the winter ; 

 and when growth commences in spring, water must be given freely. 

 Good loam suits the Vallota, and it is desirable to avoid re-potting 

 until the flowering period has passed : when it becomes necessary, 

 disturb the roots as little as possible. 



Verbena, if not sown last month, should be got in promptly, for 

 it is important not to hurry the growth of this plant by excessive heat. 



Wlgandia is a half-hardy perennial, grown exclusively for its 

 noble tropical foliage. If started now, it will attain a large size as 

 an annual. It is impossible to grow this plant too well. A lavish 

 employment of manure and water will secure stately specimens. 

 The instructions given for Tobacco apply equally to the Wigandia. 



MARCH 



THE first duty is to ascertain that there are no arrears to make good 

 or failures to replace. If any sowing has gone wrong, do not waste 



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