282 THE FLORIST AND 



Any desirable plant for forcing, that may be growing in the open border, 

 if potted early in the month, will do very well for that purpose. Weigela 

 rosea does excellently this way; as also does Jasminum nudiflorum, Forsythia 

 viridissima, many Spiraeas, and Persian lilacs. Roses and other things 

 intended to be forced early, should have as much air, and be kept as dry as 

 possible without injury. Hyacinths and other bulbs should also be potted 

 as soon in the month as they be obtained; the former are best planted an 

 inch deep. The earlier bulbs are potted the finer they flower — you may 

 get Catalogues of any number of kinds or colors at the auction marts. If 

 you get ten per cent as represented, when they flower, you will be more fa- 

 vored than the writer. Mignionette, Rhodanthe Manglesii, and similar or- 

 namental annuals essential for winter blooming in well kept houses should 

 be sown at once. Many things for next season's flowering, must not either 

 be forgotten. The Pansy, Calceolaria and Cineraria, are in this class^ 

 Plants of these that have have been kept over the summer will require a re- 

 division, and kept in a close frame a few days afterwards till they get re- 

 established. Propagation of all things will still require constant attention. 

 It should always be an aim to possess one duplicate plant, as a. provision 

 against accidents. In many cases young plants are preferable to old ones ; 

 so that the old ones may be destroyed when these are obtained. 



Hot House — The Aeschynanthus will soon be in the chief ornament 

 of this division. Their number has increased so that they have become 

 quite a feature. If the pots seem full of roots, they may still have another 

 shift — they prefer very fibrous peat ; or, if that cannot be had, turfy loam, 

 mixed with a portion of coarse moss. They will, however, do pretty well 

 in small pots. Achimenes and Gloxinias, as they go out of flower, should 

 be kept dryer and cooler. Look well after a good stock of Pentas, Ces- 

 trum and Habrothamnus ; they will go far towards keeping up the interest 

 of the department in winter. Justicias, and Acanthaeeous plants generally 

 will probably require another shift if fine specimens are desired. The at- 

 mosphere, if the house be light, can scarcely be too moist for them. 

 Plumbago rosea is one of the most valuable stove plants I know for win- 

 ter flowering ; it requires a strong heat. Clerodendrons as they go out of 

 flower, should be kept in a very airy situation, and rather dry, preparatory 

 to being cut down and treated like a Pelargonium for another year* Many 

 Begonias will be past their best flowering stage ; very little watering serves 

 .them; they are very liable to damp off by incaution in this respect.- It is 

 difficult to lay down rules for orchidese, so much depending on the circum- 

 stances under which they are grown. Those which have finished their 

 growths — as many Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Catasetums, &c, whose flow- 

 ers appear just before new growth, should have their supplies of moisture 



