February Dawning Spring 



mence, and cuttings may then be formed from the 

 young shoots, or the clumps can be divided for plant- 

 ing out of doors later on. The old roots usually yield 

 a large number of flowers of moderate size, while 

 plants grown from cuttings give fewer but finer blossoms. 

 Those having no heated greenhouse may plant the tubers 

 out of doors in April. The roots of Cannas should 

 now be treated similarly ; the stock of plants can be 

 increased readily by dividing the clumps. Now is the 

 time to start into growth other greenhouse roots, such 

 as Begonia, Achimenes and Gloxinia. Ferns and palms 

 that need repotting should be attended to at this season ; 

 a compost of two-thirds loam, one-third peat, with plenty 

 of silver sand, is suitable for most of them. Maidenhair 

 Ferns are much improved if the old fronds are cut off; 

 fresh ones will soon grow. Now also is the time to repot 

 such room plants as may need this attention : Aspidistra, 

 Dracaena, Indiarubber plant, and others. A soil similar to 

 that advised for ferns is suitable. It is a mistake to use 

 larger flower-pots than are really essential ; the plants 

 are generally healthier in comparatively small ones, pro- 

 viding they are properly watered. If old plants of 

 Zonal Geraniums are pruned now, fresh shoots will soon 

 form and should be taken off and inserted as cuttings 

 to provide plants for next winter. 



Cuttings of Chrysanthemums for decorative purposes 

 should still be inserted in pots of sandy soil. Those 

 put in early in the year are now rooted and must be 

 kept cool, otherwise they will become weak and " drawn." 

 As soon as well rooted in the small pots they must be 

 repotted, using a compost of turfy loam with which a 

 little leaf soil and sand are mixed. 



Bedding plants ought now to be increased from cut- 

 tings as they are required. Stock plants potted last 

 autumn make rapid growth in a warm greenhouse and 

 shoots are soon available for cuttings. They form roots 

 readily in pots or boxes of sandy soil. Cuttings that were 



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