THE LADIES MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
95 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
February 2.—The most ornamental plants were various plants from the 
garden of Sir E. Antrobus; among which was a fine specimen of Epi- 
phyllum truncatum , grafted on Cereus speciosissimus , by which means it was 
rendered more hardy, and remains in blossom for three or four months. 
Mr. Mills, gardener to the Baroness Be Rothschild, at Gunnersbury Park, 
exhibited some beautiful cucumbers, grown in his improved pit, very 
appropriately, as he has just published a book detailing his manner of 
growing them. A few other plants were exhibited, but chiefly from the 
gardens of the Society. 
FLORAL CALENDAR. 
MARCH. 
Though it is generally both easier and more economical for persons 
residing in the neighbourhood of London to purchase their half-hardy 
annuals in May, when they are just ready to plant in the open ground, 
from some nurseryman; yet, as in the country this cannot always be 
done, it may be as well here to give some directions for making a hotbed 
for that purpose. In the first place, two or three barrows full of horse- 
manure should be procured, and if the manure be taken fresh from a 
stable, it should be thrown together in a heap, and turned over two or 
three times at intervals of four or five days, or more, according to the 
size of the heap; as the gases which first escape from the manure, during 
the process of fermentation, would be very injurious to the plants. As 
soon as the manure has lost its rancid unpleasant smell, it is said to be 
sweet, and is considered in a fit state for making the bed. When the 
manure is being turned over, if any part of it appear dry and musty 
(which it will do sometimes if the heat has been too great), it should be 
watered while the operation of turning is going on. 
When the manure is ready, the bed should be made, taking care that 
it is six or eight inches larger every way than the frame which is 
intended to cover it. The ground on which the bed is raised ought to be 
a little higher than the rest of the garden, and when this is not the case, 
it is a good plan to put a little brushwood or faggots under the bed. 
The manure must be put on in layers, shaking it with a fork, and making 
each layer as even as possible ; and occasionally beating it with the back 
