Calceolaria 



( 154; 



Calceolaria 



much care in sowing. Fill a shallow pan three 

 parts full of soil, and press the latter clown evenly. 

 Scatter a little silver sand on the surface, and 

 give a watering through a fine rose. Leave the 

 pan for an hour before sowing, so that the water 

 can drain away. Sow the seed thinly, and cover 

 with the lightest possible sprinkling of silver sand. 

 Cover the receptacle with a square of glass, and 

 place it in a cold frame. Shade closely till the 

 seedlings appear, and then gradually expose them 

 to -the light. At this stage the soil must be kept 

 in an" even state of moisture. 



sprinkling of water, and place them near the glass 

 in a cold frame. Shade carefully at first, and keep 

 the soil moist. When the plants are growing 

 freely, more air may be given, and less shade. As 

 soon as the roots begin to feel the sides of the 

 pots shift the plants into 5" pots. Be careful not 

 to break the bulls, press the compost moderately 

 firmly, continue to grow the plants close to the light 

 in a cold pit or frame, shade from hot sunshine, 

 water with care, and allow ventilation night and 

 day. As soon as roots commence to appear at the 

 drainage hole the plants are ready for their flower- 



A GOOD TYPE OF HERBACEOUS CALCEOLARIA. 



Soil. For seeds, one part loam, one part leaf 

 mould, half a part silver sand. For seedlings at 

 the first potting, two parts loam, one part leaf 

 mould, and half a part sand. For the final potting, 

 two parts turfy loam, half a part leaf mould, half a 

 part thoroughly decayed manure, and small lumps 

 of charcoal or old mortar, with enough sand to 

 keep the compost open. 



Other Cultural Points. The main thing with 

 Calceolarias is to avoid any checks, not allowing 

 the plants to become dry, starved, or potbound, 

 from the seedling to the final stage. As soon as 

 the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick 

 them into thumb pots or pans, give a slight 



ing pots, which may be 7" or 8"_. After the final 

 shift, stand each plant on an inverted pot placed 

 on a bed of coal ashes, and allow room between 

 for a thorough circulation of air. When frost 

 appears in the autumn, remove the plants to posi- 

 tions near the glass in a light house, having a 

 temperature not above 50, and keep the atmo- 

 sphere moist. Never coddle the plants. Give liquid 

 manure once a week when the pots are full of roots. 

 Support the flower stems with neat stakes, but do 

 not cramp the natural habit of the plants. 



Enemies. Aphides. Green Fly is the bane of 

 the greenhouse Calceolaria, and the aim of the 

 grower should be to prevent attacks. '""' 



This is done 



