104 MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITION PLANTS. 



furnished with strong leathery leaves, covering all stems 

 and stakes, and the buds hard and well formed. As soon 

 afterwards as there is any danger from frost, the plants 

 should be taken into the greenhouse, given plenty of air in 

 favourable weather, and a little heat early in the day to 

 dispel damp. If necessary, the heat may be kept up gently, 

 to bring the blooms forward for the show, but the less of 

 artificial heat that is required the better for the blooms. Tlie 

 points of merit are: (i.) Size and condition of the plant; 

 (2.) size, number, and freshness of the blooms ; and (3.) colour 

 and substance of the petals. 



CINEEAEIA. 

 The Cineraria is another very showy plant, which makes an 

 excellent companion to the Calceolaria, and succeeds under 

 similar conditions, except that it will not endure so low a 

 degree of cold with impunity. There are some excellent 

 named varieties, but plants raised from seed of a good strain 

 are all that can be desired. Seedhng plants for exhibition 

 must be from a specially good selected strain, or they are just 

 so much labour lost, and end in bitter disappointment. Seed 

 should be sown about the same time as recommended for the 

 Calceolaria, and the plants grown on in the same manner. 

 The final shift should be into ten-inch pots, using a little 

 more manure and rougher soil than at previous shifts. They 

 are particularly subject to the attacks of greenfly, and should 

 be slightly fumigated at short intervals to keep them in check, 

 as they will not bear strong fumigation. The points of merit 

 are : (i.) Size and condition of the plant ; (2.) size of flowers, 

 and number expanded; and (3.) breadth, substance, and form 

 of the petals, and distinctness of marking. 



COCKSCOMB. 

 Although of a rather stiff and formal habit, this is a 

 favourite exhibition plant in many localities, and well repays 

 a little extra care to bring it to perfection. Being a stove 

 annual, the same soil and treatment that the Balsam requires 

 suits it well ; but it must be grown throughout in stove-heat 



