Flowers all the Year Round 



Cineraria. Those who care to have Cinerarias in bloom 

 during November and December may do so from a sowing made at the 

 beginning of April, but it is not usual to start so early. Our own 

 practice is to sow twice, during the present month and again in June, 

 to insure a succession. From this month's sowings we look for our 

 finest plants. The Cineraria is easy to raise and to grow, but it will 

 by no means take care of itself. It has so many enemies that unusual 

 vigilance is necessary to flower it to perfection. It thrives in a com- 

 post of turfy loam, with a little peat or leaf-mould added ; but the 

 soil should not be over- rich, or there will be much foliage and few 

 flowers. Still, as the plant is a rapid grower, it must not be starved, 

 neither must it suffer for lack of water. Pots or pans may be 

 employed for the seed ; and as the young plants grow freely, they 

 may go straight to thumb pots without the usual intermediate stage 

 of pricking off. 



Coleus should be finally shifted into 48-sized pots. If signs of 

 decline become manifest, weak liquid manure water given occasion- 

 ally will revive the plants and intensify their colours. During the 

 summer any ordinary greenhouse or conservatory will suit them, 

 provided they are shaded from fierce sunshine. 



Cyclamen. The strongest seedlings should now be ready for 

 6o-sized pots. Abundant but judicious ventilation, plenty of water, 

 and freedom from aphis, are the conditions to be secured. 



Dahlia. Make the ground on which this flower is to be planted 

 thoroughly rich. It is a rapid grower, and cannot attain to fine 

 proportions on a poor soil. If the plants are carefully prepared for 

 the change by free exposure on genial days, and also during warm 

 nights, they will scarcely feel the removal. When first put out, dress 

 the surrounding soil with soot to prevent injury by slugs, which show 

 a decided partiality for newly-planted Dahlias. Give water freely 

 when requisite, and in staking the plants take care that the ties do 

 not cut the branches. These ties will require attention occasionally 

 during the summer and autumn. 



Delphinium. Sow the perennial varieties on a prepared bed. 

 Thin early, without removing all the weaker seedlings, and when 

 sufficiently advanced to bear removal, transfer to borders where the 

 plants are to flower. 



Hollyhocks may be put into the borders when the weather is 

 quite warm. Wait until the end of the month, or even the beginning 

 of June, rather than have them nipped by an untimely frost. Like 

 the Dahlia, this plant must have unstinted supplies of water and 



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