March 



the flowering season. Prepare a compost of leaf-mould 'and loam, 

 mixed with sharp sand to insure drainage. Towards the end of the 

 month sow in pots or in seed-pans on an even surface ; and we lay 

 stress on a thin sowing, to avoid the danger of the seedlings damping 

 off. Barely cover the seed with finely sifted soil, and place sheets of 

 glass on the pans or pots to check rapid evaporation. If water 

 must be given, immerse the pots for a sufficient time, instead of 

 using the water-can. A cool greenhouse, vinery, or a half-spent hot- 

 bed is a good position for the pans, and a range of temperature from 

 55 to 65 should be regarded as the outside limits of variation. 



Auricula. Seed may still be sown ; indeed, April will not be 

 too late. Partially submerging the pans when water is needed saves 

 many seeds from being washed out and wasted. 



Balsam. Although this flower comes from a tropical climate, 

 it is not very tender ; a gentle hot-bed is quite sufficient to bring up 

 the seed. Two or three sowings are advisable to secure a succession 

 of bloom, and for the first of them the middle of this month is the 

 proper time. It is important that the soil for this plant should be 

 light, rich, and very sweet. When the seedlings show their first 

 rough leaves, lose no time in pricking them off, and they should 

 afterwards be potted early enough to promote a dwarf habit. 



Calceolaria. Plants from last year's sowing will begin to move, 

 and should be shifted into their final pots before the buds show. 

 The 8-inch size ought to contain very fine specimens. The compost 

 for them should be prepared with care several days before use. Put 

 the plants in firmly, and place them in a light, airy greenhouse. 

 When the pots are filled with roots an occasional dose of manure 

 water will be beneficial until the flowers begin to show colour, when 

 pure soft water alone will be required. Tie out the plants some time 

 before the buds attain full size. 



Campanula. The hardy annual varieties, such as C. attica, 

 should be grown in the manner advised for hardy annuals. The half- 

 hardy perennial, C. fragilis, if sown during this month, will flower 

 later in the year. Raise in pans in a gentle heat, and pot off when 

 large enough. 



Coleus is strictly a stove perennial. But our short winter 

 days do not maintain a rich colour, and it will in almost every 

 instance, give more satisfaction if treated as an annual, enjoying the 

 beautiful and varied foliage during summer and autumn, and con- 

 signing the plants to the waste-heap as wintry days draw near. We 

 do not advise the sowing of seed earlier than March, because a 



339 z 2 



