TttARCH — FIRST WEEK. 



27 



MARCH. 



FIUST WEEK. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Frequent attention is now necessary in the giving 

 and taking away of air as the alternations of bright sun- 

 shine and clouds occur, and also to temper coM winds 

 by the admission of air on the south side. If severe 

 weather has been now experienced, and extra fire heat 

 used in consequence, many plants that may appear all 

 right may, nevertheless, be very dry, and if they are 

 not examined, and when very dry, well soaked with water, 

 they will soon show unmistakeable signs of approaching 

 death. 



Azaleas (Indian). — Young plants that have commenced 

 their growth to be repotted. Shift Achimenes, Begonias, 

 G-esneras, &c, and keep them in a warm, moist situation. 



Bulbs. — Pot Cape and other bulbs in a compost of 

 loam, leaf mould, with a good sprinkling of sand, as soon 

 as they begin to make growth in foliage. 



Heaths. — Continue to shift as they may require, using 

 sandy heath-soil full of fibres, with an abundance of 

 drainage. Be sure that the ball is thoroughly moist 

 before shifting ; for if perfectly dry when that operation 

 is performed the waterings afterwards given will pass 

 freely through the fresh soil without penetrating the old 

 ball. Give them all the air possible, avoiding north or 

 north-east winds. 



Potting must be in progress, and include a good pro- 

 portion of the occupants of these houses. 



STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE. 



Push Allamandas, Clerodendrons, Stephanotises, &c, 

 forward as briskly as possible ; but be in no hurry to train 

 them, as freedom in growth is advantageous to a certain 

 extent. Use all means to check the increase of insects. 



