NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 155 



growth. All young stock, growing freely, should be hardened 

 off by the end of the month. Potting should now be pro- 

 ceeded with in order that the roots may have time to establish 

 themselves before Winter. Almost everything may now be 

 successfully propagated. The whole of the soft-wooded 

 Geranium family will do best in a south border ; gather seeds 

 as they ripen. The propagation of half-hardy plants such 

 as Calceolarias may be commenced by the end of this 

 month. Sow seeds of herbaceous kinds in a cool pit. Use 

 the syringe amongst growing plants freely on warm evenings. 

 Dress, tie, and keep all plants neat and clean. Chrysanthe- 

 mums should now be particularly attended to, and if the 

 pots be well filled with roots, be liberally supplied with 

 manure water. A mulching of manure, too, over the 

 surface of the soil in the pots will benefit them much. 



March. Continue to give air freely night and day in 

 fine weather. Pot bulbs for early blooming, such as 

 Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulips, &c. Camellias may still be 

 exposed, but they should be sheltered from heavy rains. 

 Cuttings may still be made, and budding proceeded \\ith. 

 Early sown Cinerarias may now receive their final shift for 

 Winter blooming. Propagate Calceolarias by cuttings ; shift 

 small plants already struck ; get Ericas and Azaleas under 

 shelter, ready for housing by the end of the month. Pelar- 

 gonium cuttings now rooted, may be potted off for flowering 

 or specimen plants. Those planted in the open border may 

 be taken up by the end of the month, and potted or placed 

 closely together in boxes. Continue to propagate Pelar- 

 goniums, Fuchsias, Verbenas, Ageratums, Petunias, &c. ; 

 the smallest pieces will do best (the tips of the shoots). 

 Verbena cuttings must be carefully shaded after planting, 

 and sprinkled freely with water ; but the soil must not be 

 kept saturated. Plants still growing freely must be 

 abundantly supplied with water, and those intended to 

 bloom in Winter, such as Cinerarias, Primroses, and Chry- 

 santhemums in pots should have manure water given freely. 

 Water must now be sparingly applied to plants that are to be 

 placed in a state of rest, such as Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, c. 



April. Air must still be admitted freely during the day, 

 but sparingly at night. Camellias and Azaleas should now 

 be housed, as the least frost will discolour their leaves. 



