Flowers all the Year Round 



as a succession to the plants obtained from the sowing made in 

 January last. 



Calceolaria. If more plants are wanted, sow again. Among 

 the seedlings which we left last month just as they had been pricked 

 off, it will soon be evident that there is a wide difference between the 

 strength of the plants. As a rule, the most robust are those in which 

 yellow largely predominates. These make bright and showy decora- 

 tive plants, but the colours that are especially valued by lovers of 

 this flower will probably come from the seedlings which are weakly in 

 the early stage. Hence these should be specially prized, and under 

 skilful management they may be grown into grand specimens. The 

 thumb pots for Calceolarias should be carefully prepared with crocks 

 covered with clean moss or vegetable fibre, and be filled with rich 

 porous compost. Transfer the plants with extreme care, and place 

 them in a sheltered part of the greenhouse or in a shaded frame, 

 allowing free access of air on the leeward side. If aphis has to be 

 dealt with and it is very partial to Calceolarias tobacco-smoke 

 is the best remedy. Choose a quiet evening for the operation ; next 

 day, syringe with pure water, and shade the plants. 



Campanula. All the perennial varieties may be sown during 

 the summer, either in pans or in the open, and pans are preferable. 

 Protected in a frame during the winter, the plants will flower freely 

 in the following spring. Give them a good light soil, and do not 

 stint the supply of water. 



Cyclamens which are forward enough should be shifted into 

 48-sized pots. Follow up the process until all are re-potted. 



Lobelia. In pots or pans sow seed of the perennial varieties to 

 provide plants for the borders next year. Pot off singly when ready, 

 and protect in a cold frame through the winter. 



Mimulus sown in the open ground will flower in the following 

 spring. If possible, make the seed-bed in a moist retentive soil, 

 and in a shaded situation. 



Primula. To force the growth of this plant is to ruin it. The 

 most satisfactory results are invariably obtained from specimens 

 which have matured slowly, and have been treated as nearly hardy 

 after the seedling stage. From this month up to the middle of 

 September it will be quite safe to expose them freely, day and night, 

 except in inclement weather. Even in the winter protection is only 

 needed from frost, damp, and keen winds. 



358 



