122 FLOWER-GARDENING. 



or six months, if well attended to ; they are generally in their 

 prime this month, at which time a little water should be applied 

 to the earth about twice a week. 



Many species and varieties of seed may be sown in hot-beds" 

 prepared as previously directed. 



Auricula, Polyanthus, and all other species of Primula seed, 

 should now be sown. Mignonette, Ten Week Stock, and Dahlia 

 seed, from choice varieties, may also be sown in pots, and care 

 should be taken, when the plants are up, that they be not in- 

 jured by excess of moisture. 



There are some splendid varieties of the Schizanthus which 

 deserve attention at an early season. They are rather difficult 

 of cultivation in pots, being apt to suffer by excess of heat or 

 moisture ; and often, when in full bloom, die off suddenly by 

 decays at the bottom of the stem. No plants will, however, 

 more amply repay all the care and trouble that may be bestowed 

 on them, than those of the elegant genus Schizanthus. The 

 best soil for them is loam and leaf-mould, with a small portion 

 of sand. They should be repotted as often as the pots are filled 

 with roots, till they come into full flower. 



All the different varieties of tender annual, biennial, and 

 perennial flower seed, designated thus and thus f in our 

 Catalogues, pages 99 and 118, may be sown early in hot-beds, 

 or in pots kept in the green-house. 



Hyacinths, Narcissus, and other bulbs in glasses, must have 

 the water shifted every week, and the glasses should be 

 thoroughly washed every two or three weeks. 



Towards the end of the month, roots of Amaryllis formosis- 

 sima, Gladiolus psittacinna, Tiger Flower, Tuberose, and such 

 other bulbs as may have been preserved dry through the winter, 

 may now be planted in pots and kept in a green-house or light 

 room, or else plunged in a hot-bed. Those who have no such 

 conveniences may, however, delay the planting of sound bulbs, 

 until the weather will admit of their being planted in warm 

 borders in the spring of the year. 



Dahlia roots should be plunged in a hot-bed,. to forward 



