FEBRUARY. 



597 



FEBRUARY. 



become so, but if found in this condition, 

 they should be plunged into a pail of water 

 for 12 or 24 hours, until the ball is thoroughly 

 soaked. Pick off the flowers of winter- 

 blooming heaths as soon as their beauty has 

 faded. Carefully watch weak downy- 

 leaved varieties for the first symptoms of 

 mildew, and refrain from syringing any of 

 them overhead in dull weather. The best 

 mode of washing is to hold the plant on one 

 side over a tub of water, turning it round in 

 all directions, while an assistant dashes the 

 water violently upon it with a syringe. 

 Very dirty plants may sometimes require to 

 have their leaves sponged with soap and 

 water in addition to this. 



Calceolarias and Cinerarias. These now 

 enjoy a temperature of from 45 to 55. 

 Well-rooted plants of the former should be 

 shifted into the compost recommended last 

 month ; and plants for very late flowering 

 of the latter may also be shifted. The 

 earliest cinerarias will now be opening their 

 flowers in the conservatory, and a succes- 

 sion coming on to supply their place. 



Fuchsias. These, after re-potting, thrive 

 best if plunged in a gentle bottom heat. 

 Water carefully until fresh roots are emitted ; 

 shade in bright sunshine to prevent flagging. 

 Thin out plants that have been cut down to 

 a single shoot, if the pyramidal shape is 

 desired ; if bushes are wanted, leave three 

 or four, and maintain a genial temperature 

 of from 50 to 60. 



Fuchsias, C^^tting and Shifting. Never 

 cut down and shift fuchsias at the same 

 time, nor shake them out for re-potting 

 before they have again begun to grow. 

 After cutting down, allow the shoots to 

 grow two or three inches ; plants that have 

 not been cut down must fairly break before 

 they are re-potted. The young top growths 

 will then hasten the emission of roots, and 

 the plants, with a moist atmosphere provided 

 for a few days, will scarcely sustain any 

 check. When re-potting, use a smaller 



pot than that in which the plant has been 

 growing. A suitable soil for fuchsias is 

 composed of two parts of turfy loam to one 

 of peat, with an admixture of bone dust 

 and charcoal. 



Gloxinias. These are flowers of the 

 same class as the achimenes and tydaeas. 

 The tubers should be potted in February or 

 March. The soil best suited for growing 

 them is composed of rich loam, leaf mould, 

 and peat, in equal proportions, to which 

 should be added a good quantity of Reigate 

 or silver sand. Place in a little heat to 

 start them into growth, and water sparingly 

 till the plants are well established. When 

 in bloom, bring them into the conservatory 

 or drawing-room. After the plants have 

 done blooming, dry gradually off by with- 

 holding water from their roots ; afterwards 

 remove them to a warm place, to be kept 

 dry till the tubers are wanted. 



Grem Fly. At this season of the year 

 green fly often attacks pimeleas, lesche- 

 naultias, and other plants ; let them be 

 destroyed at once by fumigation with 

 tobacco smoke, applied by the agency of 

 a fumigator. They also put in an appear- 

 ance on calceolarias and cinerarias, of 

 which they are particularly fond ; as soon 

 as their presence is detected they must be 

 destroyed. 



Pelargoniums. These plants now delight 

 in a temperature of from 45 to 50, with 

 10 increase by sun heat. Scarcely any 

 rise of temperature should be permitted, 

 however, before the house is slightly venti- 

 lated. The sun's rays striking upon plants 

 with any drops of condensed moisture on 

 the leaves is certainly one cause of the spot 

 on these plants. Cutting draughts of cold 

 wind are doubtless another cause of the 

 same disease. This must be specially 

 guarded against on bright days, when the 

 air is keen and harsh. 



Pelargoniums, Fancy. These will bear 

 a temperature of 5 or 10 more than the 



