60 DREER'S GARDEN CALENDAR. 



fatally, -with more or less of the collection Never water unless the 

 plant really needs it, and then give freely, observing that the surplus 

 runs out of the bottom. If water stands on the surface, it is an indica- 

 tion of insufficient drainage, and should be at once remedied. When 

 saucers are used, the water must be removed from them as soon as it 

 has drained through the pots, as nothing can be more injurious to the 

 roots of most plants than to have the pot they grow in kept standing in 

 water. There are some exceptions, however, to this rule, such as all 

 kinds of Jlimulus, Hydrangeas, Calla JEthiopica, Lobelias, and all such 

 as require an abundance of water. Plants in a state of bloom or 

 vigorous growth require more water than at other times. Here the 

 Amateur's judgment must be exercised, as scarcely any two plants re- 

 quire the same quantity of water at all times. Never use cold water; 

 but let it conform as near as possible with the temperature of the room. 

 Overf-ottixg, with imperfect drainage, is also a fruitful cause of sickly 

 plants. In transferring a plant to a larger pot, never advance more 

 than one size at a time, observing to give plenty of drainage by placing 

 a layer of potsherds or bits of charcoal at the bottom of the pot. The 

 novices in plant- cult ure, when they find their plants becoming sickly, 

 usually resort to overfeeding — via overpottixg — with the use of stimu- 

 lants, such as guano or liquid manure, where an opposite course is 

 necessary. Such plants may frequently be restored by reducing the 

 ball of earth, placing them in smaller pots, well drained, and by keeping 

 them moderately dry, the healthy action of the roots will be once more 

 restored, and they will again become healthy specimens ; then their 

 growth can be promoted by shifting gradually into larger pots. By an 

 observance of the above hints nearly all green-house plants may be 

 grown successfully in a room. 



FUCHSIAS, 



Or, as they are popularly called, '•' Lady's Ear-drop," constitute one 

 of our most graceful tribes of plants. The Double Corolla variety are 

 of a more recent introduction. They all require a shady situation, 

 and rich, loose, loamy soil, if bedded out. For which purpose we give 

 a special list ; also one for pot-culture, and one of the best six double 

 variety. 



FUCHSIAS FOE FOT-CULTUEE. 

 Price from $2.00 to $3.00 per doz. according to size. 

 Coxqtjeror. — Scarlet, refiexed sepals, violet-blue corolla. 

 Diadem de Flora. — "Waxy-white sepals, orange-red corolla, with a 



stain of lilac. 

 Duchess of Lancaster. — "White tube, rosy-violet corolla. 



