30 
THE FLORIST. 
possible. Early-sown seedlings will be already in flower, and be useful 
as well as cheerful at this dull season, when there is a comparative 
paucity of flowering plants. The Cineraria is rapidly emerging from 
being a common decorative plant only, since it has been so largely 
patronised at our great floral exhibitions. It is remarkable what well- 
directed skill has done towards perfecting its culture. Plants intended 
for later blooming will still require re-potting into larger pots, and the 
main shoot should be carefully stopped. If mildew appears, it can 
easily be destroyed by the application of sulphur. If the plants are too 
thick and bushy some of the small foliage may be cut from the middle 
of the plant wdth advantage, as well as any that may be decaying. 
Cold Frames .—Keep everything as dry as possible without letting 
anything suffer; give all the air possible that the state of the weather 
permits, and in frosty weather cover well up at night, and there will be 
no danger of anything being injured by the cold. We have several 
frames full of soft-wooded stuff—principally “ bedding ” plants— 
which had not been uncovered during the whole time the storm lasted, 
at the commencement of last month, and at the present time every¬ 
thing looks as healthy and well as possible. 
Conservatory and Show-house .—Every pains should be taken to 
make these as attractive as it is possible at this season ; with good 
management there will be plenty of things in flower to do this. 
Among hard-wooded plants. Heaths, Epacris, Acacias, Camellias, 
Azaleas, &c.; among bulbs. Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, Amaryllis, 
&c.; and among stove plants, Bletias, Justicias, Euphorbias, Aphe- 
landras, Poinsettias, Epiphyllums, &c.: all these will be found useful 
decorative plants at this season, and to them may be added Primulas, 
Lily of the Valley, Violets, Cinerarias, Mignonette, &c. Be careful 
not to keep the atmosphere too dry, as the flowers do not last so long in 
a parched atmosphere as they do when it is rather moist. Look to the 
climbers, and regulate any requiring it. Attend carefully to the 
watering. Admit air when the weather is favourable, but be careful to 
guard against draught. Keep up a temperature of about 45*^ by 
night, and 55° by day, allowing a rise of a few degrees by sunshine. 
Cucumbers .—This is one of the most critical months in the whole 
year for getting a supply of Cucumbers, but with a little management 
the matter is easy enough ; you have only to get good strong plants 
early in the autumn, and crop them lightly and keep a regular, steady 
bottom heat—by these simple means a supply of Cucumbers is easily 
obtained throughout the month. Keep a moist growing atmosphere, 
and ventilate daily if possible. Attend to the thinning and training of 
the shoots. Water when necessary. Sow for a spring crop; place 
them in a bottom heat, and as near the glass as possible. 
Dahlias .—Valuable kinds, and those known to be bad to winter, 
should now be started by placing them in a little heat, keeping the 
roots rather dry until they have begun to push into growth, when they 
may receive some moisture. Pot roots, and such ground roots as are 
keeping soundly, should be permitted to remain quiet for a time—for 
another month. 
Flower Garden .—In open weather dig borders; sweep and roll 
