THE FLORIST, 
229 
thought with the scenes of Scripture might render them more 
valuable to some florists. 
“ The whole expanse of this great flat (the plain of Gilgal) is every 
where broken into patches of green and flowery shrubs ; the Tama¬ 
risk, Dwarf Oak, Myrtle, Oleander, the Thorn, called by Dr. Pocock 
the Myrtobalanum of Pliny, and a kind of wild Bramble Rose, which 
I believe to be peculiar to this country.” And again : “ Alas ! for 
the little wild flowers of England that here and there peep forth 
and sparkle among the brambles of the thicket, or cluster in bunches 
far apart, upon the short turf of the open grove, when compared 
with the blaze of rich Ranunculus, Anemone, and gaudy Iris, car¬ 
peting the greensward of the woods of Palestine ; and the Cyclamen 
that absolutely perfumes the air far around.” 
‘‘ From Nazareth we set forth for Mount Tabor ; our road ran 
through a succession of small hills and vales, clothed with flne open 
groves of ancient Oaks and Karub trees, and carpeted with the richest 
turf and wild flowers; sweet smelling Cyclamen, Anemone, and 
Asphodel, and the largest variegated Iris I ever saw, springing up 
in the most glowing luxuriance.” 
“ The richness of the whole valley (the Vale of Many Waters, 
near Nablous) is hardly to be described. Between the gardens and 
the road, the margin is lined with a natural and abundant growth of 
Aromatic Bay-trees of great size, and Pomegranates and Medlars in 
full bloom, thus early in the year (the beginning of March). In 
many places they overarch the road for some distance.” 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. 
Auriculas should be repotted this month, if not done in the month 
of May; the earlier the better. Take advantage of moist weather 
if it offers. Proper instructions for proceeding have been given in 
a former number; it will be found on reference to No. V., p. 121. 
Many young and thrifty plants will require shifting into larger 
sized pots ; this should be done without breaking the ball; merely 
remove the crocks from the bottom, if it can be done without break¬ 
ing the fibres, and fill up with fresh compost; slightly press the 
soil, to render it firm. Offsets with fibres may be removed, those 
W'ithout will be better left till February. Examine the tallies, and 
see that the names or numbers are all legible. Plants repotted in 
May should now have the surface of the soil stirred, a little of 
it taken away and earthed up with fresh. It is also advisable to 
remove the whole stock of plants, and rake the surface of the 
standing place ; clean it of weeds, and destroy insects before 
replacing them. J. T. Neville. 
Calceolarias. —Attend to the young cuttings, which we may hope 
are rooted by this time. Do all you can, by shading from the 
heat of the sun, and by exposure to the dews of night, to get 
them into vigorous growth, so as to have strength in them before 
the time of rest arrives. We have attended the Metropolitan 
