38 
THE FLORIST. 
I grow the plants in frames placed against a wall with a south¬ 
east aspect, the front and ends of which are glass, as well as the top. 
In the front are type-sashes, and the top ones lift up, instead of slid¬ 
ing, so that I can admit air (most essential to the successful culture 
of this plant) in wet foggy weather, and at the same time exclude 
the rain. The frames are elevated by brick-work, about 2-^ feet, 
in order to shew the plants when in bloom to greater advantage, as 
well as being a more convenient height for watering and general 
management. In autumn, I like my plants rather small than other¬ 
wise, if healthy and well-rooted; and which I place in 4-inch pots, in 
compost consisting of one-third good friable loam, well rotted from 
an old pasture, one-third peat or heath-soil, and one-third leaf or 
vegetable-mould, well mixed together, with a quantity of silver 
sand: good drainage is indispensable. Such new varieties as I 
require, I get from the nurserymen as soon as I can. During the 
winter-months the plants require but little water; but they must be 
kept from flagging; all decayed leaves should be picked off; and 
they should be well protected from frost by covering at nights with 
mats, &c. If the plants should by any means get frosted, keep them 
covered up for a few days from the light and sun (which would 
now prove fatal) ; and if not too far gone, they will soon recover 
from the elFects thereof. About the last week in February, the plants 
begin to exhibit signs of growth, and then I re-pot them into a 
size larger, using a compost of one-fourth loam, one-fourth peat, one- 
fourth vegetable-mould, and one-fourth good rotten cow or horse- 
dung, with silver sand as before; and during the two succeeding 
months of March and April, I continue to re-pot them according to 
the growth of the plants, until I get them into the pots I in¬ 
tend them to bloom in. The “ one-shift system” does not at all 
answer with the Calceolaria. About a month previous to the plants 
coming into bloom, I use a little weak guano-water, about twice 
a week, which I find excites their growth considerably, and im¬ 
proves the bloom. Watering the plants over the top with a fine 
rose and tepid water, occasionally, in the mornings, during their 
growth, will be found very beneficial. In May and June the plants 
will be in full bloom, and then the cultivator receives his reward for 
the “ care and attention” bestowed on them during the inclemency 
of winter, by the grand galaxy of bloom which they display. After 
the plants have done blooming, cut them down, top-dress, and 
remove them to a shady situation, supplying them liberally with 
water, when they will soon throw out side-shoots, which must be 
taken off* when two or three inches long, for increase. 
This is the most trying season for the Calceolaria ; for the plant is 
much exhausted with flowering, and if exposed too much to the sun, it 
causes the thrip (the greatest enemy to this plant); and the loss of the 
old plants is then the almost inevitable consequence. I'he green fly 
is also a great pest, and must be kept down at all seasons of the 
year. This may be done effectually by fumigating with tobacco. In 
September, offsets and cuttings may be taken, and struck in the 
usual compost, adding more silver sand, by inserting them about two 
