3H FLOWERS ALL THE YEAR ROUND 



sowing seed of some important flower has been allowed to pass, an 

 attempt is made to compensate for lost time by hurrying the growth 

 in a forcing temperature. Every needless degree of heat will be 

 harmful and result in attenuated growth, poverty of colour, or in the 

 attacks of some insect plague which the weakly plant seldom invites 

 in vain. It is wise always to employ the lowest temperature in which 

 plants will flourish. This necessitates the proper time for their full 

 development, and will result in a sturdy growth capable of yielding a 

 bountiful display of bloom. Occasionally it is requisite to force 

 some special subject, such as bulbs for Christmas festivities. Even 

 then it is advisable to augment the temperature very gradually, and 

 to defer the employment of its highest power until the latest possible 

 moment. 



Plants are frequently taken straight from the forcing pit into 

 some cold room, to their utter ruin. A moment's reflection will 

 show the folly of such a proceeding. They should be prepared 

 for the change by gradual transfer through lower temperatures ; 

 and if only a few hours are occupied in the process it will help 

 them to pass the ordeal with less injury. 



It should be an established custom to examine the seed-pans 

 at least once every day, and morning is the best time for the task. 

 If work has to be done, there is the whole day to arrange for its 

 accomplishment. Whereas if the visit is not made until evening, 

 there may not remain sufficient daylight to do what is necessary. Just 

 as seedlings are starting, a few hours' neglect will render them weak 

 and leggy. 



When transferring plants from seed-pans, it is usual to put them 

 round the edges of pots. This is no mere caprice, but is founded 

 on the well-ascertained fact that seedlings establish their roots with 

 greater readiness near the edge of the pot than away from it. 



In years gone by, tan was very much in demand for covering 

 newly potted bulbs, and for many other purposes in connection with 

 horticulture. But the use of chemicals in the process of tanning has 

 rendered the tan deleterious, and it should be avoided. Cocoa-nut 

 fibre is an efficient substitute, light, clean, and beneficial to plant life. 



In the following monthly notes, one principal object is to offer 

 a series of reminders which will insure the sowing of various flower 

 seeds and the planting of bulbs at their proper periods, and thus 

 save the disappointment of losing some important display for a whole 

 season. Those who have command of large resources will sow 

 certain seeds a month earlier than we recommend, and their intimate 



