MARCH 331 



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 duce fine flowers, intense in colour ; but when the flowers open, the 



liquid manure must be abandoned. Pure, soft water must be given 

 as often as necessary, for Gloxinias cannot endure drought. Shading 

 is an important matter from the commencement and particularly 

 during the flowering period. 



Propagation is effected by making an incision on the underside of 

 the midrib of a leaf. A crock is laid on the surface to press the 

 wound upon the soil, and from this a bulb is gradually formed. But 

 flowers of such fine quality are now obtained from seed, that fewer 

 bulbs are stored every winter, and there is a growing disinclination to 

 make use of the tedious process of propagation. 



HOLLYHOCK seedlings will be ready for putting into thumb pots. 

 Directly they are established, begin to prepare them for planting out 

 in May. 



IMPATIENS SULTANI. Some growers find a little difficulty in 

 raising this elegant flower from seed. Probably it arises from sowing 

 too early. In March no trouble should be experienced, but it is 

 essential to sow very thinly for two reasons. Crowded seedlings are 

 liable to damp off, particularly in dull moist weather, and they are so 

 fragile that it is well-nigh impossible to transfer them from the seed- 

 pots until they are about an inch high. The humid atmosphere 

 which suits tender Ferns will grow them freely. 



LOBELIA. The perennial varieties (L. Victoria and L. cardi- 

 nalis) make splendid border plants, and are easily grown from seed. 

 Sow in moderate heat, and in due time transfer to a deep rich 

 loam. Their dark metallic foliage and intense scarlet flowers give 

 them a conspicuous appearance, and admirably fit them for the 

 back row of a ribbon border. They are also valuable in the mixed 

 border. 



MARIGOLD. Both the African and French varieties are of im- 

 portance late in the season, for they continue to bloom until cut down 

 by frost. The former reaches the height of from eighteen to thirty 

 Cinches, and the colour is limited to yellow in several shades, from 

 pale lemon to deep orange. The latter is more varied in habit as 

 well as in colour, and the Miniatures make excellent bedding plants. 

 In hot dry seasons Marigolds entirely eclipse Calceolarias, because 

 they can well endure drought and a short supply of food ; whereas 

 the Shrubby Calceolaria does not thrive under such conditions. All 

 the varieties of Tagetes may be sown now on a moderate heat, and 

 they should be pricked off into pans or boxes in readiness for trans- 

 ferring to the open ground in May. 



