.GARDENING CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 
155 
Grow a quantity for flowering in-doors ; by- 
stopping and shifting they can be made quite 
attractive. 
Lacidia gratissima. — Increase as much 
as possible without spoiling the specimen 
plants ; a plant or two may be kept excited 
to propagate from. The established plants 
must be brought gradually on, and kept rather 
cool. 
Lycopodiums. — It is well to give these 
attention, as they are valuable for the War- 
dian case, or for light bordering, or planting 
in large masses ; they are at all seasons 
lively ; keep them moist and shaded. 
Malvaceous plants. — Grow in a moist heat 
and rich soil ; the annuals may be grown to 
any size, but as that is rather a defect, they 
will bear a slight stopping ; encourage the 
shrubby sorts. 
Manettias, and other tender climbers, keep 
in due bounds by tying and thinning in time, 
and keeping down insects ; this is almost 
daily work. 
Melastomas. — Give these both pot and 
head room, and light, and moisture, in abun- 
dance ; they strike freely from cuttings. 
, Melo Cacti, should now be kept close, 
warm and moist ; and have liquid manure 
occasionally ; they make good growth in a 
hotbed frame. 
Nepenthes (Pitcher plant). — Have a per- 
petual and steady moisture rising about them ; 
the roots, though they will stand in water, 
need not be kept so wet. 
Neriums, may now be flowered at pleasure, 
by increasing the heat and moisture ; still 
retain a stock in a cool state, in frames, for 
later flowering. 
Nymplueas. — Increase the heat, and keep 
the leaves always floating, and watered over- 
head ; if there are any dry bulbs, not yet 
excited, put them in without delay. To rest 
them well, is the secret of success. 
Palms. — Almost saturate the soil with 
liquid manure once a week ; syringe gently 
and often, and keep up a continued moisture. 
Polianthes (Tuberose). — As they advance, 
take away a few of the smaller suckers, and 
pot separately ; give plenty of manure, mois- 
ture, and light ; they have been known to do 
well, planted out of doors this month, in very 
good situations. 
Thunbergias. — Maintain a moist atmosphere; 
keep in ordinary sized pots, and, if red spider 
does appear, sulphur the cool pipes near them. 
Sow again ; pot off the previous sowings as 
required, and trellis them, or plant out early. 
Vincas. — When these are vigorous, they 
may be again topped, and finally shifted, ob- 
serving as a general rule, never to pot until 
the young shoots are again started, and never 
to top but when the roots and shoots are in 
action. V. rosea ocellata is the most supe- 
rior, and should be increased now. 
THE ORCHID HOUSE. 
Temperature. — The Indian house, from 
70 to 85 degrees by day, and 65 to 70 de- 
grees at night. The Mexican house from 
5 to 10 degrees lower. 
Ventilation. — Give air at the top only ; 
the Mexican house may have a little in mild 
nights ; remove all the artificial coverings ; 
have the shading material in perfect repair, 
and use it on bright days. 
Watering. — Maintain an increasing and 
perpetual moisture in the atmosphere. The 
terrestrial species will require a good deal of 
water, and will luxuriate in weak liquid 
manure applied weekly. Syringe the blocks 
and baskets, and let the water fall on the 
plants in them ; avoid syringing these and 
every other plant imder the leaves, except in 
extreme cases. 
Potting. — Such of the plants as have not 
been repotted, should be attended to before 
they begin to grow freely ; and where it is 
not desirable to disturb them, so far as to 
repot them, or put them in fresh baskets, they 
will derive benefit from the application of a 
portion of fresh potting material. 
General Directions. — It is proverbial that 
this class of plants are most easy of cultiva- 
tion. The chief desiderata is a taste for 
them, and a desire to excel in their culture. 
The obstacles will excite and not discourage 
the energies of the devoted admirer of nature, 
and who is determined to have nature's beau- 
ties in their fairest form. This rule is 
general and applies universally; and, when 
attended to, is of more value than many of 
the best hints, given in the best manner. 
The lodgment of moisture about the young 
shoots must be prevented, or they will be 
liable to rot off, especially if subjected to a 
fall in the temperature. Drips from the roof 
falling upon the young shoots are also very 
hurtful. A very moist atmosphere, such as 
these plants require when in a free growing 
state, should not be accompanied by a low 
degree of heat. 
JEschynanthus. — These plants associate 
well with orchids : look to their roots imme- 
diately, preparatory to starting them : if in 
pots, shift them into fresh soil ; if on blocks, 
renew the material about the roots. Intro- 
duce them to the warm part of the house, 
and supply them liberally both with heat and 
moisture, until they have made their growth. 
Attend to the regulation of the branches as 
they are developed. 
Catasetums should be repotted when their 
young shoots are about an inch or so in 
length. 
