156 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



Continue to pot bulbs. Cinerarias should now be housed. 

 Prick off seedling Calceolarias, and pot forward plants. 

 Prune in climbers on rafters to admit the sun and light to 

 the plants beneath. Keep Azaleas, Camellias, Fuchsias, 

 &c., in the coolest part of the house. All kinds of cuttings 

 intended for outdoor work next season must be kept secure 

 from dampness, which is their greatest enemy. Be careful 

 how you apply any artificial heat, it generally does more 

 harm than good at this season of the year. Pelargoniums 

 must be kept clear from the fly ; and kept slowly growing. 

 This last condition is the best antidote against the former ; 

 .avoid, however, letting them be chilled and soaked, as this 

 engenders spot. Fuchsias and Geraniums should now be 

 lifted from the beds and borders, and planted in boxes and 

 pots, to stand in an open shed, or on a verandah, or under 

 the stage, in fact, in any dry, airy place free from sharp frosts, 

 or their crowns may be covered over with a few inches of 

 coal ashes or litter ; lifting and storing is, however, the better 

 plan. 



All plants should be thoroughly cleaned, as well as every 

 part of the house and glass washed. Water must be 

 sparingly given, and only when necessary. 



May. Continue to admit air freely in fine weather. 

 Azaleas required for blooming early should be kept in the 

 warmest part of the house. Those required for flowering in 

 Spring and early Summer must be kept as cool as possible. 

 Keep Calceolarias and Cinerarias growing slowly in a moist 

 and airy atmosphere ; those intended for late blooming must 

 be kept cool. Continue to pot off seedlings. The earliest 

 Camellias will now be swelling their flower buds, which 

 should be thinned if necessary. A little cow-manure water 

 clear and not too strong, will do them good. Water only 

 when necessary. Keep all plants clean by washing, and 

 fumigation when necessary. When a plant requires water, 

 water it thoroughly, never superficially, or the consequence 

 may be that plants with delicate, hair-like roots may have 

 the surface of the soil apparently wet, while the ball of earth 

 is really quite dry. Airing well on brisk, drying days is the 

 only means that should now be resorted to in the greenhouse 

 lor the prevention of damp ; but should fire heat be 

 absolutely necessary to counteract it, have recourse to it 



