302 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



settled down into their new quarters air must be admitted to the 

 frame on all suitable occasions. It should be done, however, so 

 as to avoid strong draughts. This can be accomplished if note be 

 taken of the direction of the wind, and the ventilator or light be 

 tilted accordingly. Until really cold weather sets in the frame 

 may be left slightly open at night, but when frost threatens it 

 must, of course, be closed, and in the case of a severe visitation it 

 may be necessary to afford additional protection by placing mats 

 over and around the frame. But above all avoid coddling. The 

 great essential is to produce strong, sturdy plants, and this can 

 never be done unless they have plenty of fresh air. 



Appended are some practical hints about the propagation of a 

 few favourite plants : 



CALCEOLARIAS. The amateur must distinguish between the 

 two classes of calceolaria namely, the shrubby or hard-wooded, 

 which do duty year after year hi the decoration of the open border, 

 and the herbaceous, which are usually raised from seed and pro- 

 duce large pendulous multicoloured flowers under the stimulus 

 of gentle warmth in the greenhouse. It is the shrubby calceolaria 

 with which we are concerned here. 



If the stem of a plant be examined hi September it will be found 

 that it carries small shoots bearing four or five leaves. These 

 shoots may be detached from the stem by a sharp downward pull. 

 If this be done skilfully the shoot will carry away from the stem 

 a small heel, which should on no account be detached, since this 

 will help in the production of roots. The lower leaves should be 

 removed, and the cutting is ready for insertion in the soil. 



Cuttings suitable for propagation are produced in such pro- 

 fusion by the shrubby calceolaria during early autumn that if 

 the accommodation be available it is worth while to devote one 

 small frame entirely to their welfare during the winter months. 

 Where this is possible a bed of sandy soil should be made up 

 inside the frame and the cuttings be inserted three inches apart 

 in rows three inches asunder. This will allow room for develop- 

 ment when root action begins in the spring and the plants 

 begin to grow apace. After the plants have been well watered in 



