1877. ] 
VILLA GARDENINa FOR MAY. 
117 
Cooper, with Neatness, Ovid, Brilliant, Dazzle, Beatrice, and Diadem ; 3rd, Mr. 
Douglas, with Bronze Dragon, Brilliant, Beatrice, Miss Eeid, and two seedlings. 
Class M. Sinr/le Specimens^ Alpines. —1st, Mr. Douglas, with Silvia; 2nd, 
Mr. Turner, with King of the Belgians ; 3rd, with Distinction; 4th, with Bessie 
Ray ; and 5th, with Nat Norman ; and Mr. S. Cooper, 6th, with Diadem. 
The Premier Auricula of the show was 'the grey-edge George Lightbody 
(Headly), shown by the Rev. F. D. Horner. 
We hope the success of the present show, which attracted a goodly number 
of visitors, will lead to its being continued annually, and that the interest which 
has been once more aroused may go on increasing in depth, so that it may lead 
to a large accession to the ranks of Auricula-cultivators.—T. Moore. 
VILLA GAEDENING FOE MAY. 
ILLA Gardeners are still waiting anxiously for the fine dry weather that is 
slow to come. There is an interval of two or three dry days, and then, 
when it is hoped real gardening work can be commenced, down comes the 
rain, and a further time of disappointment follows. Many have had to 
sow and plant, working their heavy, wet, clinging soil as best they could, for the 
work admitted of no further delay. 
The Cold Greenhouse: A few strong Zonal Pelargoniums will now be coming 
into bloom, but they are late in flowering, through lack of sun. They will now 
become a leading feature for summer decoration. Show Pelargoniums that were 
repotted in September are also coming into flower ; that is, plants that were not 
pinched back after February. Show Pelargoniums are so useful for making a 
display during summer, that if carefully managed by refraining from stopping, or 
stopping till late in the spring, a succession of bloom can be maintained. Fuchsias 
(cut-down plants from last summer) are breaking into growth to give flowers 
before young plants bloom, and tuberous-rooted Begonias, Miinulus., Convolvulus 
mauritcmicus.) Hoteia japonica, Niereinhergia gracilis., Plumbago ca 2 )ensis., and 
other plants of a similar character, are all coming on into growth to flower in 
their own time. Primula cortusoides amoena is now a fine subject for a cold 
house. Of foliage plants that are of great service in a cold house just now may 
be mentioned the Indiarubber Plant, Ficus elastica., Aralia Sieboldii., Agave 
americana., and A. a. variegata., and others. It is sufficient to indicate a few lead¬ 
ing plants, but the above list does not exhaust all that are suitable for a cold 
house. In cold nipping weather (unhappily sometimes too prevalent in May) 
the house should be kept close ; in warm sunny weather, give air, keep the 
plants well watered, and sprinkle freely overhead. 
The Warm Greenhouse will require a little fire at night, as long as they are 
dull and cold. Now, Camellias, Azaleas, Cinerarias, Epacris, Ericas, Roses, Poly¬ 
anthus Narcisi, and Hyacinths, and the many subjects that can be had in bloom, 
should be gay and cheerful in appearance. liichardia mthiopica does well 
in a warm-house, if kept well watered, and furnishes splendid flowers. Camellias 
and Azaleas that have done blooming need a little ventilation, to prepare them to 
go into the open air next month to ripen their wood. All growing plants need to 
be stopped as required to maintain a goodly shape to the plant, and to have plenty 
of air, to ensure a sturdy short-jointed growth. Fire-heat should be dispensed 
with as much as possible. Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Verbenas, and Petunias make 
