March 



be given as often as necessary, for Gloxinias cannot endure drought. 

 Shading is an important matter from the commencement, and par- 

 ticularly during the flowering period. 



Propagation is effected by making an incision on the underside of 

 the midrib of a leaf. A crock is laid on the surface to press the 

 wound upon the soil, and from this a bulb is gradually formed. But 

 flowers of such fine quality are now obtained from seed that fewer 

 bulbs are stored every winter, and there is a growing disinclination 

 to resort to the tedious process of propagation. 



Hollyhock seedlings will be ready for putting into thumb pots. 

 Directly they are established, begin to prepare them for planting out 

 in May. 



Impatiens Sultani. Some growers find a little difficulty in 

 raising this elegant flower from seed. Probably it arises from sowing 

 too early. Where there is a command of sufficient heat no trouble 

 should be experienced in March, and it is essential to sow very thinly 

 for two reasons. Crowded seedlings are liable to damp off, particularly 

 in dull, moist weather, and they are so fragile that it is well-nigh 

 impossible to transfer them from the seed-pots until they are about 

 an inch high. 



Lobelia. The perennial varieties make splendid border plants, 

 and are easily grown from seed. Sow in moderate heat, and in due 

 time transfer to a deep rich loam. Their dark metallic foliage and 

 intense scarlet flowers give them a conspicuous appearance, and 

 admirably fit them for the back row of a ribbon border. They are 

 also valuable in the mixed border. 



Marigold. Both the African and French varieties are of im- 

 portance late in the season, for they continue to bloom until cut down 

 by frost. The former reaches the height of from eighteen to thirty 

 inches, and the colour is limited to yellow in several shades, from 

 pale lemon to deep orange. The latter is more varied in habit as 

 well as in colour, and the Miniatures make excellent bedding plants. 

 In hot dry seasons Marigolds entirely eclipse Calceolarias, because 

 they can well endure drought and a short supply of food ; whereas 

 the Shrubby Calceolaria does .not thrive under such conditions. All 

 the varieties of Tagetes may be sown now on a moderate heat, and 

 they should be pricked off into pans or boxes in readiness for trans- 

 ferring to the open ground in May. 



Marvel of Peru. The treatment prescribed for Balsam will 

 suit this plant. In the first year it will grow to a considerable size, 

 but will not, as a rule, attain to its full dimensions until the second 



