MONTHLY CALENDAR. 147 



Plants that are full grown, will commence blooming in 

 December, and continue to produce umbels of flowers for 

 five or six montlis, if well attended to ; they are generally in 

 their prime this month, at which time a little water should 

 be applied to the earth about twice a week. 



Many species and varieties of seed may be sown this month 

 in hot-beds prepared as directed under the head February, 

 page 145. 



Auricula, Polyanthus, and all other species of Primula 

 seed, should now be sown. Mignonette, Ten Week Stock, 

 and Dahlia seed, from choice vaiicties, may also be sown in 

 pots, and care should be taken, wlien the plants are up, that 

 they be not injured by excess of moisture. 



There are some splendid varieties of the Schizanthus 

 which deserve attention at an early season. They are rather 

 difficult of cultivation in pots, being apt to suffer by excess 

 of heat or moisture ; and often, when in full bloom, die off 

 suddenly by decays at the bottom of the stem. No plants 

 will, however, more amply repay all the care and trouble 

 that may be bestowed on them, than those of the elegant 

 genus Schizanthus. The best soil for them is loam and leaf 

 mould, with a small portion of sand. They should be re- 

 potted as often as the pots are filled with roots, till they 

 come into full flower. 



All the different varieties of tender annual, biennial, and 

 perennial flower seed, designated thus § and thus f in our 

 Catalogues, pages 18 and 30, may be sown this month in 

 hot-beds, or in pots kept in the green-house. 



Hyacinths, Narcissus, and other bulbs in glasses, must 

 have the water shifted every week, and the glasses should 

 be thoroughly washed every two or three weeks, 96. 



Toward the end of the month, roots of Jmayyliis formo- 

 tissima, Gladiolus psiltacinna, Tiger Flower, Tuberose, and 

 such other bulbs as may have been preserved dry through 

 the winter, may now be planted in pots and kept in a green- 

 house or light room, or else plunged in a hot-bed. Those 



