April 



some seasons it may produce the most valuable plants of the year. 

 Asters come so true from seed that the bed may be arranged in any 

 desired pattern. Thin the plants early, and continue the process 

 until they are far enough apart for flowering. A distance of eight 

 inches is sufficient for the miniatures, ten inches for the dwarfs, and 

 twelve or fifteen inches for the tall varieties. A top dressing of 

 thoroughly decayed manure will strengthen the plants, and help 

 to keep them cool and moist. 



Balsam. About the middle of this month will' be the time for 

 a second sowing, and the seed may be raised in a frame without 

 artificial heat. 



Carnation. Any time from now until August will be suitable 

 for sowing, -and if the seed has been saved from a first-class strain, 

 a good proportion of very fine flowers will be produced in the 

 following year. For these plants florists have always considered it 

 important that the potting soil should be prepared months before 

 use, and there are good reasons for the practice. If this is im- 

 possible, see that the compost is sweet, friable and, above all, free 

 from that terrible scourge of Carnations, the wireworm. Even sifting 

 will not rid the soil of its presence with certainty, but by spreading 

 thin layers of the mould evenly upon a hard, level floor, and passing 

 a heavy roller over it east and west, then north and south, the wire- 

 worm will be disposed of. Turfy loam three parts, leaf- mould one 

 part, decayed cow-manure one part, with an addition of sharp sand, 

 make a first-class compost. Sow in well-drained 48-sized pots, cover 

 the seed very lightly, and place in a frame. Transplant the seed- 

 lings immediately they can be handled, when a cool, shaded pit will 

 keep them in hard condition. After six or eight leaves are formed 

 it will be time to plant them out. In the following spring the usual 

 routine of staking and tying must be followed. 



Cyclamen. The bulbs which have been flowering in pots 

 through the winter are now approaching their period of rest, and 

 they must not be neglected if they are to make a satisfactory dis- 

 play next season. Water should be gradually diminished until the 

 foliage dies off, and then the corms will require shade, or they will 

 crack. Dry treatment generally results in an attack of thrips, and 

 each root must be painted with some good insecticide to destroy 

 the pest. Cyclamen should never be allowed to become actually 

 dust-dry; but if the pots can be plunged in a shaded moist pit, 

 watering will rarely be necessary. In June the pots may be buried 

 to the rim in a shady spot until August, when it will be time to 



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