52 Dreer's Garden Calendar. 



with soil as fine as possible, half of which should be composed of river 

 sand. When prepared thus it should be watered with a fine rose, im- 

 mediately after which sow the seed carefully, without any covering of 

 soil. The pots should then be placed under a close frame or hand-glass, 

 in a shady part of the garden, no artificial heat being required. In large 

 establishments, of course, there are propagating or other houses that will 

 do, where the same kind of moist temperature could be obtained, but 

 any exposure to the sun must be carefully guarded against by mats or 

 paper. If the situation be of the proper temperature, they will require 

 watering but very seldom. As soon as the seedlings are strong enough, 

 they must be picked off in pots prepared as before, and placed in the 

 same situation ; from the store pots they will require to be potted off 

 singly ; after this the plants will grow very rapidly. Through the win- 

 ter the plant will thrive well on the shelves near the glass, in the green- 

 house; and, to obtain fine specimens, they must be shifted on freely till 

 the flower-stalks have started, and should always be smoked witn to- 

 bacco, as soon as the green-fly appears, as no plants in cultivation so 

 readily suffer from this insect as the Calceolaria. 



It is necessary to remark that one of the most frequent causes of the 

 appearance of these injurious insects is the plant becoming root-bound ; 

 to avoid which evil, it is important that it should frequently be re-potted 

 during the growing season. 



CINERARIA and PRIMULA SINENSIS are more hardy in their 

 growth, and require somewhat less care, than the above, but for them the 

 same treatment will suit in sowing of seed, etc. ; only that the seeds 

 being larger they can be slightly covered with fine sandy soil. If re- 

 quired to flower in the winter, seed should be sown in April and May, 

 and in the following months for spring flowering. 



It should be borne in mind that much of the disappointment that 

 occurs in the sowing of Flower Seeds may be obviated by attention to 

 the foregoing hints. 



FLOWER SEEDS BY MAIL. 



Their portability renders them so easily transported by mail, that we send all Flower 

 Seeds in packet*, assortments or by the ounce, free of postage, upon the receipt of a re- 

 mittance at the prices annexed, so that no person with any taste in Floriculture need 

 be without a choice selection. For the accommodation of those who are unacquainted 

 with the varieties, we have put up the following assortments of desirable free-blooming 

 and showy kinds. 



No. 1. Twelve annuals, free-bloomers $ .50 



" 2. Twenty-five annuals, free-bloomers 1 .00 



" 3. Twenty biennial and perennial varieties 1.00 



" 4. Twelve very choice anmial varieties 1.00 



" 5. Twelve new and rare varieties 2.00 



" 6. One hundred varieties annual, biennial, and perennial, including many 



choice sorts, a fine selection 5.00 



As an inducevimt to POSTMASTERS AXD OTHERS forming Clubs, we will for- 

 ward six One-Dollar packages for a remittance of Five Dollars. At these prices, in- 

 variably our own selection. 



As a fui-ther inducement we offer the following liberal premium on Flower Seeds 

 orderod in packets only: 



For SI .00, Flower Seeds can be selected to the amount of §1 .10 

 « 2.00, " " " " 2.25 



" 3.00, " " " " 3.50 



«: 400) « « « « 475 



" 5.00, " " " " 6.00 



" 10.00, " " " " 1-2.50 



J&§= Correspondents will please write their names legibly, and in full, with post- 

 office, county, and State. 



For Flower Seeds in assortments, see page 98. 



