116 
THE FLORIST. 
j 
the surface. When they are rooted, pot them in small pots, and shift 
them during their summer’s growth as they may require it. Propa¬ 
gating the Vine in this way requires artificial heat during their growth. 
(To he continued.) 
Erratum. —At page 86, for “Prunus Mahaleb ” read “ Cerasus Mahaleb.” 
NOTES ON THE MONTH. 
The latter part of February was hazy, but favourable for out-door 
work, and rather remarkable for the absence of rain in any quantity, 
which greatly facilitated out-door operations; and March commenced 
with clearer weather, and sharp frosty nights during the first week, 
succeeded by mild but dull weather, the second. From the 12th to the 16th 
we had frequent storms of hail and snow, with cold boisterous winds from 
the north-west and north-east. Latterly, the weather has been 
warmer, but dull, with slight drizzly rains occasionally. Taken 
altogether, the average of temperature for the last month has been a 
couple of degrees below the standard for the season; but still very 
favourable for the garden and field work. In the latter, a vast breadth 
of spring corn is already committed to the soil in capital condition; and 
there is every prospect, from the appearance of the growing crops and 
the breadth sown, or in a state of preparation for seed, that not only a 
large acreage increase of corn will be sown for the harvest of ’57, but 
from the state in which it will be got in, we should say it argues well 
for an abundant return. In the garden and allotment ground, the 
same activity prevails, stimulated, no doubt, by the open weather, “An’ 
the main bit o’ work in hand,” as a fine old friend told me the other 
night, as I caught him digging up his potato plot by moonlight; “ for,” 
said he “ tis much if all on’t be got through wi’, so I be doin’ a leetle 
o’ neets.” The demand, in fact, for labouring hands has been good for 
several years, owing to better systems of cultivation, and the large 
amount of draining done every winter. 
Fruit tree bloom is not over forward, and we are rather pleased to 
see the weather cloudy and dull on this account, as it will not bring 
Peaches and Apricots too forward—say Pears too. One or two sunny days, 
however, will get them into a full blow, and as there may yet be frosts, 
which judging from the experience of past seasons is very likely, I should 
advise the stock of Beech boughs. Netting, Tiffany, just as people’s 
pockets or fancy dictates, to be duly prepared for an emergency, (for of 
course nobody has covered their trees yet we should suppose) and when 
the wind gets in the north, with a clear sky, summon all hands and 
apply yoMV protectivey but not before. 
Great preparations we hear are being made for the forthcoming 
horticultural campaign. In addition to the monster shows at the 
Crystal Palace, and the Regent’s Park Exhibitions, I see dear old 
Chiswick is on her legs again, and advertising for a two days’ grand 
exhibition in June, wooing her old admirers to a second love. Well, 
we hope she may succeed, and that the cloud she has been under so 
