48 
OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
by transplanting to a pot of smaller size ; and large shifts must never be given to any except 
healthy specimens beginning to grow, and with good roots. 
All those tender perennials, which were raised from cuttings in autumn, and have remained 
through the winter in the propagating-pans, should be potted off singly, or two or three in a pot, 
as circumstances dictate, in order that strong, healthy plants, may be furnished for the flower- 
garden in May. We know that this matter is often necessarily deferred till April for want of 
room, and sometimes even altogether dispensed with ; but no one who has the ornamental 
condition of his garden in view through the summer months, will omit to avail himself of the 
advantages conferred by an early encouragement to grow. Plants preserved in the cutting-beds 
till they are required for the flower-garden seldom flower till August or September, and must be 
planted much closer, to enable them to cover the beds completely. 
For the same reason, wherever an adequate stock of plants was not provided in autumn, or 
has been diminished by the casualties of winter, immediate resort must be had to propagation 
by cuttings to supply the deficiency. And if this is needful to a large extent, a frame or pit with 
a gentle bottom-heat should be set apart for the purpose. It is not, however, by any means a 
desirable plan to defer making a sufficient provision for the flower garden till spring, for the 
plants now reared are unable to attain the strength and hardihood of the autumn supply before 
they are wanted for the beds. 
The neglect of stopping the shoots of plants intended for the parterre is a very popular error. 
The chief object now ought to be to procure compact bushy plants, rather than long straggling 
ones. By this means a number of shoots will be ready to push forth immediately the plants take 
root in the soil, and it will ensure well covered beds, and a copious bloom, all other circumstances 
being favourable. The same practice must also be observed in the early spring with those pot 
plants that betray a rambling nature, or are too little inclined to branch laterally. And we may 
here insist on the necessity for pruning away many of the twiggy growths of the preceding 
season at the time of the first spring potting, especially with deciduous species. If this is passed 
over, the shoots of the current year will be slender and imperfect, and if they produce flowers at 
all, they will be inferior to what might be obtained under more auspicious treatment. 
This is a proper time for sowing the seeds of greenhouse and hardy perennials. Such things 
as Gloxinias, Thunbergias, Chinese Azaleas, &c, which are very liable to " damp off" imme- 
diately after germination, should be eyed with a scrupulous watchfulness, and drying measures 
must be directly employed whenever an excess of humidity is thus pointed out. This proceeding 
needs to be performed with caution, for a too rapid transition from wet to dry will act as 
banefully as the evil itself. Annuals, moreover, may be sown, both for flowering early in the 
greenhouse, and for turning out into the beds. Balsams, Cockscombs, and similar things, may 
be sown in a stronger heat, and should be potted off very early, and kept in a warm pit or frame 
with a good bottom heat. 
In the management of plant-houses and frames, moisture must still be cautiously awarded. 
If the weather be very dry and sunny, a slight syringing may be occasionally practised in the 
greenhouse, and will be necessary still oftener in the stove and orchidaceous house. In the 
greenhouse it should always, however, be done in the early part of the day ; and both here and 
in the pits and frames any watering that may be required at the roots should also be given in 
the morning. The practice of continuing to throw wide the ventilators cannot be approved of 
now, as the plants are beginning to grow and require more protection ; less air must consequently 
be given, especially in keen windy weather. Indeed, we believe, that to the generality of New 
Holland plants a little extra warmth would be beneficial : in the case of many species it 
undoubtedly confers an improved appearance. 
Continue to employ every devisable means for the effectual subversion of insects, for they 
will now multiply by myriads, and derogate the effect of the best system of culture, unless 
strenuous exertions are constantly made to preserve the mastery over them. Clear away all 
decayed leaves and weeds as they make their appearance ; and when the weather is unfavourable 
for out-door work, let the outer surface of those pots that require it, be washed perfectly clean. 
Nothing enhances the effect of a collection of well-grown plants more than the maintenance of 
neatness, cleanliness, and order around them. 
