28 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



are brought into flower this month by the following 

 treatment. In April, shift the plants into bog-soil ; 

 if you wish to have very large plants, give them 

 pots of a sufficient size for their growth ; if you 

 keep them within limited bounds, then only reduce 

 the ball, and replant in the same pot: after this 

 repotting, the plants are to be placed in a heat of 

 about 55°, where they must remain until the blos- 

 soms begin to unfold, which will be at the latter 

 end of December. Give them a little more water 

 than you give the camellias. They may be re- 

 moved again in April into heat as before. 



These plants will flower equally as well in the 

 greenhouse, only not so early. 



The hardy varieties, if planted in bog soil, and 

 watered well in May and June when the weather 

 is dry, will be greatly assisted in setting their 

 bloom. Go over these in October, and such plants 

 as you find to have good firm buds, pot, and after 

 giving them a plentiful watering, place them in 

 the flower-house, they will blossom this month. 



The treatment here laid down for the common 

 rhododendron will apply to the following plants, 

 all of which belong to the same order. Azaleas, 

 kalmias glauca and rubra, (latifolia will flower in 

 March, if placed in the flower-house in October,) 

 ledum, Andromeda, ammyrsine. Erica carnea, 

 taken into the greenhouse in October will flower 

 this month. 



