68 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



tray of damp earth with the roots covered, and allow- 

 ing them to dry gradually. When dry the tubers may 

 be removed, wrapped separately in tissue-paper and 

 stored in a dry, fairly warm place a shelf in a closet 

 or a drawer. 



Probably no greenhouse flower is as little known 

 or repays acquaintance as royally as the Calceolaria. 

 Of infinite variety, its showy purse-shaped flowers 

 range from a rare pure white through all the shades 

 of pale lemon, orange, and scarlet to a deep, rich, vel- 

 vety cardinal. It is one of the most easily cultivated 

 of house-plants. The seed is fine like the Begonia, 

 is handled in the same way, and germinates in eight or 

 ten days. Shift as often as the pot fills with roots, 

 using a size larger each time and disturbing the roots 

 as little as possible. Rather more loam than leaf- 

 mould is used in potting them. Keep in an east window 

 in winter, where there is good morning sunlight and 

 a temperature of at least 60 degrees. The air should 

 be kept moist, either from blossoming bulbs or dishes 

 of water on the stove. In a dry atmosphere it is liable 

 to attacks of red spider, which greatly mar the foliage. 

 The remedy or preventive measure is fresh air and 

 moisture. Keep the soil moist but not wet. When 

 the flower-buds appear slightly increase the supply 

 of water and give a little manure once a week. The 

 large felty leaves grow so thick and close that when 

 the buds appear, to prevent injury from lack of light 

 it may be necessary to remove a few leaves. If kept 



