OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
71 
of a bird. There is a great similarity between this plant and Trizeuxis trichorhyza^ especially in 
the arrangement of the leaves. They are both from Guiana, and were imported about six or seven 
years ago. 
Schombu'rghia undula^ta. Distinct from •S'. crispa (which it very much resembles in general 
features) in the greater size and deeper colour of the flowers. The character of the pseudo-bulbs 
and leaves is very similar to those of Lcelia superbiens. The flower- stalk springs from between 
the two leaves which surmount the pseudo-bulbs, and in Mr. Lawrence's specimen is about four 
feet long, with nine or ten flowers collected into a head at the top. The lip has a pretty purple 
colour, approaching violet, and is smaller in proportion to the rest of the flower than in S. crispa, 
which is also more pointed. The side divisions are smaller, and more reflexed. The sepals and 
petals are the most prominent features of the flowers, being considerably larger than the lip. They 
are also waved at the margin, and of the same lively purple colour. Another specimen has 
flowered in the collection of Mr. Rucker, who received it from La Guayra. Like the Lcelias, it 
requires a cool house, and must also be subjected to a rather long period of rest, to induce it to 
produce its flowers. 
OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
Presuming that all the directions given last month have been observed, as far as the means 
and requirements of each have rendered them desirable, it will now be necessary to complete 
these operations, and prepare for putting the plants in their final quarters for the season. Many 
of the remarks made last month are equally applicable to this, and especially those relating to 
the propagation and preparation of plants for transplanting. 
The want of a sufficient quantity of pits and frames often induces cultivators to defer endea- 
vouring to promote the growth of the plants intended for bedding out to as late a period as 
possible ; and, indeed, they are frequently kept starved and stunted in small pots till they are 
planted in the borders, in order that they may not occupy too much space from their increasing 
size. A more injudicious practice cannot well be imagined, and its injurious effects on the after 
appearance of the flower-garden can never after be wholly remedied. But a great number of pits 
and frames, though extremely useful, are, however, not so indispensable as is generally supposed, 
where a little ingenuity is exercised, a little judgment practised, and a little additional labour is 
not grudged. 
Substitutes of many kinds may be resorted to for supplying the place of frames when a deficiency 
of room is experienced, during this and the succeeding month. The only things to guard against 
will be occasional frosts, severe winds, and heavy rain. A turf pit, or even a bank of soil raised 
round the plants as a partial protection, will be sufficient for many species, if a piece of canvass 
or a mat be thrown over in bad weather. It will require a little judgment in making the selection 
to be placed under these tempoi'ary protections. Petunias, Calceolarias, and Fuchsias, as well as 
many others, including most of the annuals raised in pots, may be safely transferred from the 
pits ; and, towards the latter part of the month. Pelargoniums and Verbenas, and the greater part 
of the more tender species, will be rather benefited than injured by the removal. Such a proceeding 
will more than amply repay the additional trouble and attention that its adoption will entail, in 
the superior health that it will promote, and the consequent earlier expansion of bloom. 
Another advantage which this practice will confer, besides admitting a greater number of 
plants to be grown and kept steadily increasing in size, is the tendency it has to promote their 
hardiness, and enduing them with the power of resisting the severities and fluctuations of the 
weather. When plants are confined in frames, or kept in close structures where a high tempera- 
ture is preserved, although they may make larger and finer plants in a shorter space of time, 
yet there is nothing gained unless they are very gradually inured to bear a colder atmosphere. 
Grown under such circumstances, they are extremely susceptible of injury, even from a slight 
depression of temperature. It is better to allow them to form their growth slowly in a cooler 
atmosphere, which will now be continually increasing, than to reverse the order by growing them 
quickly, and then subjecting them to a lower degree of heat. The first method will form flowermg 
