18 FEBRUARY FLOWER GARDEN. 



Malcomia, Saponaria, Mignonette, Callichroa, Adonis, 

 &c. There is still time to raise a stock of hardy 

 perennials for next season, but not a day should be 

 lost in getting in the seed ; the most useful are 

 Antirrhinums, Delphiniums, Dianthus, G-eurn, Holly- 

 hocks, Indian Pinks, Phlox, Potentilla, Sweet Wil- 

 liams, and Wallflowers. Auriculas should now be 

 turned out of their pots and repotted in rich, turfy 

 loam, in a very sweet state. If over-potted they never 

 do well, and they should be kept close for a week 

 after potting, tarnations and Picotees not yet layered 

 must be attended to, or it will be impossible for 

 them to be well rooted before winter. Avoid the 

 practice of cutting the leaves when layering plants ; 

 this is not necessary, and ought to be discontinued. 

 In order to propagate Hollyhocks at once, the shoots 

 that rise at the base of the flower-stem are to be put 

 in as cuttings round the sides of the pot. Pansies 

 should be propagated now in quantity for planting 

 out in May. Roses may be budded on briars until 

 the middle of April, but the earlier the better. Those 

 entered in December should now have started, and 

 must be looked over occasionally for the removal of 

 shoots from the stalk. Cuttings may be put in under 

 a hand light. Roses layered now and left undisturbed 

 until September will then be found well rooted. Those 

 lately budded should have their ties loosened. Where 

 buds have failed others may be inserted, either on the 

 stems of young stocks or on suitable shoots lower 

 down than those previously worked. Layers and 

 cuttings of hardy shrubs put down now and left till 

 September or October may then be removed and 

 planted in nursery rows with good roots. Attend to 

 watering Phloxes, Chrysanthemums, China Asters, 

 Mignonette, and all plants in a growing state ; Chrys- 

 .antheinums often suffer much at this season for the 

 want of a little timely attention in this respect. Cut- 



