28 THE FLORIST, AND 



be placed deeper in the soil than it was before, and if the roots be 

 very fibrous, the soil must be pressed pretty firm. 



Amaryllis, and indeed bulbs of this class generally, are not so 

 much grown in our country as they deserve to be. Where they 

 are, and have been kept dry through the winter, many of them will 

 show signs of growing soon. When that is the case, they should 

 be repotted. Sandy fresh loam is the best for them ; if manure 

 be used, it should be thoroughly decayed, and where cow-dung can 

 be obtained, it should have the preference. Many repot their 



Japan Lillies now, but it is a great error. They are very nearly 

 hardy, and hate artificial treatment above all things. They should 

 be kept all the winter dry in a cool place, and when they show 

 signs of growing through the old soil, shaken out and potted in 

 rather firm sandy loam; all the light and air possible should be given 

 to them, except exposure to the full rays of the sun. When allowed 

 to come along thus naturally, without any early potting, or forcing, 

 they succeed admirably. 



Hot House. — As the days increase in length the temperature 

 may be allowed to rise a little, and the plants receive more water 

 and encouragement to grow. Many things will require repotting, 

 as in this department some one or other will require that operation 

 all the year round ; frequent repot tings are very beneficial to stove 

 plants — the fresh air and gases which are submitted to the roots, do- 

 ing no doubt as much good as the new soil itself. As fast as any 

 specimens get too large, they should be gradually dried off, cut down 

 and repotted as described in former calendars. Where this operation 

 has been gone through once, it would be better in some cases to 

 raise young plants and throw the old ones away. Torenia asiatica 

 generally does best raised every year from cuttings ; if a stock has 

 not been got ready it is time to begin, they strike root in a few weeks; 

 Orchidea will require rather more frequent syringings, otherwise 

 there need be little change as jet. 



Vegetable Garden — Cucumbers in England are the "first and last" 

 of a gardener's thoughts ; here they are growing into disrepute — - 

 nevertheless there are many who will be thinking of starting them 

 soon. Where there is fresh stable dung at command, it may be got 

 ready by the end of the month, by frequent turning and mixing, 



