THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
91 
as scions for the purpose. Auriculas are now growing in earnest, and 
must be protected from biting winds. Water liberally, as weather 
permits, aud liquid manure once a week. Dahlias, keep moving, 
and strike cuttings as fast as you can get them, of the best sorts. 
This is the best month for amateurs to begin with them. Plant out 
such hardy plants as have been kept over winter in jireservative pits ; 
pot carnations, and place in a nortli aspect any that are kept in 
small pots for potting in April. Ranunculuses and anemones may 
still be planted, and seed of each may also be sown. 
Fhuit Gaeden. — Fruit-trees in need of jmotection must be pro- 
vided for at once, or the crop may be lost. Shelter them with ' 
netting or tiffany before the blooms expand, as the embryo fruit is 
frequently killed in the bud. IMelons in bearing must have liberal 
fire-heat and plenty of water. Give full light, and train regularly. 
You cannot have good fruit without first a liberal surface of foliage. 
Sow for summer culture. Planting may still be performed, but 
every day’s delay now increases the risk, for it is a positive injury to 
any deciduous tree. 
CoKSERVAToiiT AND Gbeenhouse. — Azaleas done blooming, 
trim up, and clean with tobacco-w'ater or Gishurst compound if 
affected with scale. Repot those that have exhausted the soil in 
the old pots, and set them growing at once in a moist and gentle 
heat. Bulbs in pots, keep well watered, and shade as soon as the 
blooms are well coloured. Soot-water once a week will strengthen 
those throwing up. Cinerarias, Primulas, Genistas, Pelargoniums, 
and other things coming into flower, must have as much light as 
possible, and plenty of air on bright days ; but cold, dry, frosty 
winds will do much mischief, unless their force is broken by means 
of matting, and a judicious management of the whole ventilation. 
See to the regular stopping of all plants that require it, especially of 
Pelargoniums ; stake out specimen plants ; give tepid water 
liberally to all fast-growing and blooming stock, with, at regular 
intervals, liquid manure. In the absence of guano or sheep’s dung, 
soot- water is a nourishing stimulant for occasional use. Fuchsias 
should now be got into free growth, and have frequent syringings ; 
Epacrises and Camellias done flowering, should have a gentle heat 
to promote growth, and a vigilant look-out must be kept against 
veriniu of all kinds, which now come in armies, and commit vast 
havoc if not checked in time. Keep up the supply of flowers from 
the abundance the season affords to choose from. Cytisuses are 
now very gay, and make a beautiful contrast to the colours of 
primulas, cinerarias, and hyacinths. Allow none to swell pods of 
seeds, unless seed is wanted, as it weakens the growth of new wood. 
After flowering, ill-shaped plants may be cut back and refreshed 
with a top-dressing. In the propagating and cutting frame, a good 
steady heat must now be kept up, for the increase of all kinds of 
bedding stock, and the raising of tender annuals, and to start 
Achimenes, Gesneras, and Gloxinias. Average temperature this 
month 50 degs. at night, 55 to 60 degs. by day; with a rise of 5 to 
7 degs. with sun-heat. 
Stove. — Pines swelling their fruit should have plenty of manure 
March. 
