340 
FLORICULTITRE. 
of honest indasliy by its approver, does not lessen the value of the larger and perchance 
more brilliant gems that emblazon the crown of royalty. Nor does the rose, precious 
to many a poor cottager, bloom the less frequently within the precincts of the palace 
grounds, because a specimen of its tribe graces the plot — sacred to its reception (in many 
cases the sole possession) — of the humble artisan, who, so far as pleasure is concerned, 
sees the volatile deity only in the form of his bursting rose-buds, and knows enjoyment 
simply in the clustering blooms that overhang the home his labour upholds. That 
Floriculture boasts among its patrons the highest in our favoured land, there can be no 
doubt ; that some of its most devoted admirers are to be found among the humblest is 
equally true: nor is this a subject of regret. The noble owner of a gem by Vandyke, 
Kaffaelle, or Correggio, does not feel its value lessened by knowing that his dependent 
revels in the possession of a wood-cut of some subject rendered immortal by the pencil of 
those great masters. So with flowers : there are classes suitable to every cultivator and 
every admirer in the strictest sense of the word. For us, w^hose business it is to cater for 
all tastes, the immense diversity only affords additional opportunities of gratification, both 
individually and collectively ; and lest the remarks my enthusiasm has lengthened beyond 
due bound, be deemed intrusive, I will, without further delay, hasten to the subject in 
hand, and suggest the best means for successfully growing the Cineraria that I know of, 
adding thereto a descriptive list of most of the best varieties out. Presuming that most 
of my readers are amateur growers of the Cineraria, and not adepts, I wdll commence with 
the young plants ordered from the nurseries, and sent out about the end of March or begin- 
ning of April. A greenhouse is the best receptacle for them, and if the collection is des- 
tined to be large, one appropriated exclusively to their use is most desirable, as it is requisite 
that the shelves should be as near the glass as possible, it being essential that the young 
plants should not be far removed from it. Plants so placed can remain for a short time, 
when preparations should be completed for re-potting them. The compost suitable for the 
operation should consist of thoroughly decomposed leaf- mould, one-eighth part might very 
well be constituted of an old melon or cucumber bed after re-potting them. Wait till you 
find they have taken root well in the compost with which you have supplied them. As soon 
as you ascertain this to be positively the case, re-pot them, taking out the crocks without 
otherwise disturbing them. As the plants increase in size, the compost may be enriched 
with advantage, which may be done by mixing rather more than half of the old soil with a 
similar quantity of leaf-mould for some varieties, and for others three parts of leaf-mould to 
one of soil. The plants are best potted, in a general way, about the middle of April, and 
again in a month afterwards, taking care that the pot is capable of holding the ball of earth 
and an inch or an inch and a half of additional soil, not wholly on the top, as it is not 
desirable that the upper roots should be covered too deeply. The beginning of June is a 
proper time to stick such specimens as are likely to require it. Care must be taken to do 
this in as neat a manner as possible. Expose them afterwards to a free current of air, 
shading them from too intense sun. During this and the following month the Cineraria 
requires some attention as regards watering, which is best done shortly after the sun has 
ceased to shine upon them ; in very drying weather a little may be given early in the 
morning. Towards the autumn — say about August — small shoots may be observed to 
emanate from the roots, stem, &c. ; they will quickly settle in the earth surrounding the 
plant, and if carefully taken up at the proper time, answer the purpose of increase without 
injuring the mother plant. These little shoots should of course be placed in pots of com- 
mensurate size, and in gentle heat, well shaded from the sun, and in two or three weeks 
the plants will have firmly rooted themselves. They will then require re-potting, when the 
front of the greenhouse is again their proper place, as near the glass as possible. In 
October, the large or specimen plants should be accommodated with a cool situation in the 
greenhouse (and they will do most seasons in a frame) where they must remain all the 
winter, receiving all the light, air, and sun the weather permits. Towards the latter end of 
January, or beginning of February, place them at a greater distance from the glass. The 
top of the house is now a good position for them to occupy, where they may enjoy the air 
whenever the weather admits of its being given with safety. In order to secure a continued 
