340 FLOWERS ALL THE YEAR ROUND 



unusual vigilance is necessary to flower it to perfection. It thrives in 

 a compost of turfy loam, with a little peat or leaf- mould added ; but 

 the soil should not be over-rich, or there will be much foliage and 

 few flowers. Still, as the plant is a rapid grower, it must not be 

 starved, neither must it suffer for lack of water. Pots or pans may 

 be employed for the seed ; and as the young plants grow freely, they 

 may go straight to thumb pots without the usual intermediate stage 

 of pricking off. 



COLEUS should receive their final shift into 48-sized pots. If 

 signs of decline become manifest, some weak liquid manure-water 

 occasionally will revive the plants, and intensify their colours. As the 

 weather grows steadily warm, any ordinary greenhouse or conservatory 

 will suit them provided they are shaded from fierce sunshine. 



CYCLAMEN. The strongest seedlings should now be ready for 

 6o-sized pots. Abundant but judicious ventilation, plenty of water, 

 and freedom from aphis, are the conditions to be secured. 



DAHLIA, Make the ground on which this flower is to be planted 

 thoroughly rich. It is a rapid grower, and cannot attain to fine 

 proportions on a poor soil. If the plants are carefully prepared for 

 the change by free exposure on genial days, and also during warm 

 nights, they will scarcely feel the removal. When first put out, dress 

 the surrounding soil with soot to prevent injury by slugs, which show 

 a decided partiality for newly planted Dahlias. Give water freely 

 when requisite, and in staking the plants take care that the ties will 

 not cut the branches. These ties will require attention occasionally 

 during the summer and autumn. 



HOLLYHOCKS may be put into the borders when the weather is 

 quite warm and settled. Wait until the end of the month or even 

 the beginning of June, rather than have them nipped by an untimely 

 frost. Like the Dahlia, this plant must have unstinted supplies of 

 water and abundance of manure. A tall stake, firmly fixed, will also 

 be necessary for each plant. 



PETUNIAS are very sensitive under a frost or cutting east wind. 

 Therefore be in no hurry to bed the plants until quite the end of 

 the month or beginning of June, especially if the weather appears to 

 be at all doubtful. A good mellow soil, free of recent manure, suits 

 them. If unduly rich, it will strengthen the foliage at the expense 

 of the flowers, and will also postpone the blooming until late in the 

 season. 



PORTULACA. It is useless to sow until the weather is warm and 

 settled, for this flower will neither endure a moist atmosphere nor a 



