34 On the Culture of the Calceolaria. 



cessary, but not, liowever, till it is really necessary ; for it is 

 as great an error to give too much water, as too little ; and I 

 always fancy it safest to err on the dry side. Avoid, as much 

 as possible, wetting the leaves, as they are very liable to damp 

 off, but they may have a slight shower from the syringe, 

 when closing up the house, on fine evenings. As they ad- 

 vance in growth, let the shoots be neatly tied out to stakes ; but 

 none of them must project above the plants, as, to the eye of 

 those who have good taste, they appear unsightly. By fol- 

 lowing the above hints, and giving an occasional watering, 

 of clear liquid manure, the cultivator will be abundantly re- 

 warded for all the trouble and anxiety bestov/ed on them. 



Summer Management. 



Presuming that the plants are coming into flower, a good 

 taste is requisite in arranging them, so as to produce the best 

 effect on the stage. In general, it may be said, that striking 

 contrasts should be avoided ; as, for instance, a bright yellow 

 and a brilliant scarlet should not be directly in contact ; but 

 intermediate shades should be placed between them, so as 

 gradually to blend and form a soft harmonious whole. Some 

 means should be adopted to keep flies, bees, &c., from the 

 blooms, for, if not attended to, they very soon destroy them. 

 The cheapest and most suitable material I know of, would 

 be some common gauze, which, I am told, is very cheap. I 

 would also recommend the lights to be white-washed, which 

 acts as a shade for the blooms, and considerably prolongs their 

 season of flowering. As soon as done blooming, the plants 

 may be trimmed down, and cuttings put in from the choice 

 varieties, under a hand-glass, in a shady place ; when well 

 rooted, they may be potted off singly, into small pots, the 

 soil being light and sandy. The old plants may be shook out, 

 the roots reduced, and potted off into as small pots as possible, 

 put into a frame, where they can be protected from heavy 

 rains, by putting on the lights when found necessary ; here 

 they may remain, till removed to winter quarters, taking care 

 to water, fumigate, and protect from heavy rains, when ne- 

 cessary ; the latter must be constantly kept in view, and, 



