1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 99 



f^ten days to dry up the sap, otherwise they are liable to rot. Spring^ 

 ^p is the most desirable season for striking cuttings, as the plants will c/. 

 have a good season's growth before them. Large cuttings ought tobe 

 planted singly in small pots, and smaller ones about an inch and a halt" 

 apart in large pots, to allow room for the roots extending. As the sea- 

 son advances give plenty of air, and withhold water gradually toward 

 autumn, and ultimately keep them quite dry. They can be kept over 

 winter in any corner of the greenhouse, provided they are kept entire- 

 ly dry and free from damp. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE CALCEOLARIA. 



A principal feature in the management of a greenhouse, and one 

 that requires some forethought and consideration, consists in keeping 

 a regular successional display of flowers throughout the year. So 

 conspicuous an ornamental structure as a greenhouse should never be 

 wanting in interest. The practice of turning the plants out during 

 Summer and leavingthe house untenanted, is highly censurable. True, 

 it is a season when flowers are everywhere abundant; but there are 

 many beautiful exotics that are too tender and delicate to withstand 

 the viscissitudes of our hot Summer months unprotected, and require 

 the aid of an artificial temperature to bring out their beauties. Of 

 such is the Calceolaria, whose flowering season is opportune, occuring 

 in April and May, just in season to take the place of winter-flowering 

 plants, and keep the greenhouse lively until Geraniums, Fuchsias and 

 other Summer flowers commence blooming. 



The Calceolaria, in its original state, has long been a denizen of 

 our gardens; but only of late years have these beautiful herbaceous 

 hybrids which now decorate the greenhouse been introduced. The old 

 shrubby species have many qualifying properties not possessed by 

 their more refined relations ; they continue longer in flower, make no 

 inconsiderable display in a flower bed, are of more robust growth and 

 easier managed than the herbaceous sorts. Much yet remains to be 

 done in combining their respective qualities — the hardiness and free 

 growth of the one with the beautifully diversified rich colors of the 

 other. Considerable improvement has already taken place in this di- 

 rection. 



They seem to luxuriate in a somewhat cool, shady, moist atmos- 

 phere ; therefore sometime during the month of August sow the seeds; 

 they will thus be enabled to get established during the comparatively 

 cool, congenial fall weather ; they will indeed keep growing less or 

 more all winter in the ordinary temperature of a greenhouse, and gain 

 Va sufficient strength to flower, a3 already observed, before the hot Sum- 



i^mer suns arrive. The seeds are very diminutive, and like othersmallGN 



