MARCH. 



purpose they should be kept in the coolest end 

 of the house, and air admitted on all favourable 



occasions. 



Pits and Frames. 



With warmer weather and an increase in the 

 latent store of heat, many plants will be starting 

 into new life. Where Polyanthus, Auriculas, 

 Stocks, Border Carnations, Aquilegias, Hydran- 

 geas, Marguerites, and such-like ])lants have been 

 wintered in these contrivances, they should be 

 looked over, and all dead leaves removed. Air 

 should be ungrudgingly admitted on all pro- 

 pitious occasions. The sun being bright and 

 the Aveather mild, the lights may be removed 

 altogether for an hour or two in the middle of 

 the day. Make another sowing of Sweet-peas 

 and other half-hardy annuals, such as Sweet 

 Sultan, Gaillardias, and Perpetual Stocks for 

 cutting. Violets will need plenty of ventilation 

 when the weather is fine. They must, however, 

 be well covered at night to protect them in case 

 of frost. 



Flower-garden and Pleasure-ground. 



When the weather permits, push forward with 

 all digging and the planting of deciduous shrubs, 

 as such work should be brought to a conclusion 

 by the end of the month. Where any new turf 

 has to be laid, it should be done without delay; 

 walks should be regra veiled if necessary. Sweep 

 and roll lawns to give them a tidy appearance. 

 Look over the flower-beds, and if any of the 

 spring bedding plants, such as Daisies, Poly- 

 anthus, Myosotis, Silene, &c, have been lifted 

 by frost, press their roots in again. All dead 

 leaves should be removed. Look well after 

 mice where Crocuses are growing, as they are 

 often very troublesome just as the flower-buds 

 are appearing. Should any pruning remain un- 

 done, finish it as soon as possible, as the sap 

 will very shortly commence to flow. 



MARCH. 



Plant-houses. 



Orchid Houses. — Of all the trying periods 

 of the year March is one of the worst with 

 which a gardener has to contend. Often there are 

 cold winds blowing from the north-east, which 

 lower the temperature of the houses, so necessi- 

 tating the consumption of a large quantity of 

 fuel in order to maintain the requisite degree 

 of warmth. AVhile these remain, frequent damp- 



ing down must be done, or otherwise the young 

 growths will soon be covered with yellow fly 

 and thrips. 



Oncidiums of the autumn and winter flower- 

 ing section, such as 0. Lanceanum, 0. ampliatum, 

 0. majus, and 0. pulvinatum, will now require 

 potting. After this is done, they should be 

 placed in a temperature of 60° at night, and from 

 70° to 75° during the daytime. Such varieties 

 as 0. incurvum, 0. ornithorhynchurn, 0. tigrinum, 

 0. Marshallianum, 0. crispum, and 0. sar codes, 

 should be grown with the Odontoglossums. 

 Some of the Cattleyas, notably C. Adandice, C. 

 superba, and C. Schilleriana, will now need pot- 

 ting. Use clean pots and crocks, for these 

 plants dislike sour soil. The remarks applied to 

 Lselias last month, hold good during the present 

 one. All that have commenced new growth 

 should either be top-dressed or placed in new 

 baskets if they require it. Dendrobiums will 

 be gay during March. Those which have finished 

 blooming should be attended to, and any that 

 need potting should have this taken in hand 

 before growth has advanced too far, as the 

 process retards it. Many of the plants in the 

 intermediate house will now need removal to 

 fresh pots. Maxillarias, Lycastes, and Cyj:>ri- 

 pediums that are starting into growth will also 

 require more root-room. Calanthes that have 

 been at rest will be resuming active life again. 

 When the new growths are about an inch long, 

 they should be potted. The compost used should 

 consist of rich turfy loam and dried cow-dung. 

 The base of the old bulb should be just covered 

 with the soil, and a small stick used to support 

 each till it has become firmly established in its 

 new quarters. No water will be needed for some 

 time except for damping over the surface with 

 the syringe. They should have a temperature 

 of 65° at night, and of 75° to 80° by day. 

 Eepot Odontoglossums that are just renewing 

 their growth. Be careful to keep these plants 

 shaded from the sun, and use plenty of water, 

 both at the roots, over the stages, and amongst 

 the pots. 



Keep a little air on, from both top and bottom 

 ventilators, whenever the weather will permit 

 the practice. The temperature at night should 

 be from 45° to 50°, and by day from 50° to 60°, 

 according to the weather. 



Hothouse. — The present is a busy month 

 in this department, as many plants will need 

 repotting, cuttings must be put in, and seeds 

 sown. Such plants as Crotons, Dracaenas, Alla- 

 mandas, Alocasias, Marantas, and stove-plants 

 in general will need fresh pots. Since so many 



