46 
OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
of small, narrow, pointed, white flowers, which are expanded successively, and remain in per- 
fection for a long time. Messrs. Loddiges of Hackney, have several plants in bloom in a cool 
house, and upon one of these we counted upwards of twenty spikes. The chief merit of the 
species consists in its producing blossoms during the winter months, when every flower is so 
desirable, and requiring little heat to enable it to flourish. A close greenhouse seems to suit it 
exceedingly well ; and, suspended in a flat basket containing a little moss, or attached to a block 
of wood, or a piece of freestone, it will be useful for creating variety. 
Epa'cris varia'bilis. Few plants are more ornamental than this when full of its pretty 
rose-coloured blossoms, depending in long lines from the numerous spreading branches. It bears 
a considerable resemblance to E. campattulaia rubra, both in habit and in the hue of its flowers, 
but differs from that variety in the greater length of the tube. A fine plant is now a conspicuous 
object in one of the greenhouses at Ealiug Park. 
Ne'ottia specio'sa. The terrestrial species of Orchidacese appear to be little regarded by the 
generality of cultivators ; many, however, when well grown, are quite as worthy of attention as 
the epiphytal section. Several plants of the present showy kind are in bloom at the Exotic 
Nursery of Mr. Knight, at Chelsea. It throws up strong spikes of crimson and salmon-coloured 
flowers, which, from being elevated so much above the foliage, appear to great advantage. 
Rue'llia isophy'lla. Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith, has specimens of this species in flower in 
one of his stoves. The appearance of the plant, in its general features, does not differ widely 
from the old R, persicifolia. It is, however, a little more bushy and compact, and the leaves are 
narrower at the base, and of a deeper green. It grows very luxuriantly in a moist stove ; but 
in a warm greenhouse it flowers with greater freedom. 
Styphe'lia tubiflo'ra. An old species, introduced about forty years ago from New South 
Wales. When well-grown and flowering freely, it is a very desirable plant, and well deserving 
of more extensive cultivation. It has much of the habit of an Epacris (to which genus it is 
nearly allied) ; and it bears a great resemblance, in its long, tubular, delicately-coloured blossoms, 
to E. grandijiora. The tube is nearly white at the base, gradually deepening to a rich crimson 
towards the top. The limb is rolled back, and fringed with crimson hairs. Young plants 
succeed best in a pit or frame, where abundance of air can be aff'orded to them. 
OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
At this period of the year, when nature is beginning to shake off" her wintry torpor, and to 
put forth her endless variety of beautiful aspects, the gardener should manifest equal energy , 
and set about putting every part of his floricultural department in proper order. The delay of a 
week or a fortnight in the performance of certain operations that may have been left undone 
hitherto, or that require dispatch, may send its paralyzing influence throughout the entire season, 
and frustrate what might otherwise have been the most perfect arrangements. 
This is particularly the case in respect to potting exotic plants, to pruning flowering shrubs in 
the open air, to the propagation of half-hardy perennials for the flower-garden, to sowing several 
kinds of seeds, and to the completion of new ground-work. 
With respect to potting plants, although we have often had to enforce the propriety of deferring 
it to suit individual cases, and not making one, or even two, general shifts ; and although the 
force of such a suggestion is unquestionable, tliere is a possibility that the plant-grower may carry 
the practice of late-shifting too far. All the appropriateness of the rule consists in giving each 
specimen a fresh shift just as it begins to grow ; and if this be not strictly accomplished, or the 
plant be left to make any considerable progress in its developments before it is shifted, an 
equal or greater evil than that resulting from too early potting will be experienced ; for the young 
wood will be impoverished, and acquire a weakliness which no after-culture will remove, except 
the shoots be cut away altogether, which will entail a great loss of time. The best period, then, 
for potting every plant (bulbs, perhaps, excepted) is precisely that at which the young shoots or 
buds commence developing themselves ; and if the operation be postponed for any length of time 
beyond this, injury will inevitably accrue. 
