APRIL 335 



desired pattern. Thin the plants early, and continue the process 

 until they are far enough apart for flowering. A distance of eight 

 inches is sufficient for the miniatures, ten inches for the dwarfs, and 

 twelve or fifteen inches for the tall varieties. A top dressing of 

 thoroughly decayed manure will strengthen the plants, and help to 

 keep them cool and moist. 



BALSAM. About the middle of this month will be the time for a 

 second sowing, and the seed may be raised in a frame without 

 artificial heat. 



CARNATION. Any time from now until August will be suitable 

 for sowing, and if the seed has been saved with judgment, a good 

 proportion of very fine flowers will be produced in the following 

 year. For these plants florists have always considered it impor- 

 tant that the potting soil should be prepared months before use, 

 and there are good reasons for the practice. If this is impossible 

 see that the compost is sweet, friable, and above all free from that 

 terrible scourge of Carnations, the wireworm. Even sifting will not 

 rid the soil of its presence with certainty, but by spreading thin 

 layers of the mould evenly upon a hard level floor, and passing a 

 heavy roller over it east and west, then north and south, the wire- 

 worm will be disposed of. Turfy loam three parts, leaf-mould one 

 part, decayed cow-manure one part, with an addition of sharp sand, 

 make a first-class compost. Sow in well-drained 48- size pots, cover 

 the seed very lightly, and place in a frame. Transplant the seed- 

 lings immediately they can be handled, when a cool shaded pit will 

 help to keep them in hard condition. After six or eight leaves 

 are formed, it will be time to plant them out. In the following 

 spring, the usual routine of staking and tying must be followed. 



CYCLAMEN. The bulbs which have been flowering in pots 

 through the winter are now approaching their period of rest, and 

 they must not be neglected if they are to make a satisfactory dis- 

 play next season. Water should be gradually diminished until the 

 foliage dies off, and then the corms will require shade or they 

 will crack. Dry treatment generally results in an attack of thrips, 

 and each root must be painted with some good insecticide to 

 destroy the pest. Cyclamen should never be allowed to become 

 actually dust-dry ; but if the pots can be plunged in a shaded 

 moist pit, watering will rarely be necessary. In June the pots 

 may be buried to the rim in a shady spot until August, when it will 

 be time to re-pot and start the bulbs into growth. The chief enemies 

 of Cyclamen are aphis and thrips. Tobacco smoke will settle the 



