34 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ March, 
was ripe, potted them into 7-inch pots, plunged them in a brisk bottom 
heat, and grew them on freely till the middle, or rather the end of October, 
by which time they showed a fine lot of roots, and were shifted into their 
fruiting pots. All the winter they were grown gently on in a temperature of 
about 65°, with the soil carefully kept genially moist. Early in spring 
they were pushed on rapidly, and made splendid plants by midsummer. 
The result was that the whole of them ripened their fruit by the end of 
January, 1868, just sixteen months after being potted as rootless suckers. 
We have a similar batch of plants—Queens, Cayennes, and Charlotte 
Rothschilds, in the same stage this year, and their appearance presages 
equal success. This is accomplished with the most ordinary appliances, 
and I am satisfied can be carried out as a rule. 
Archey'field Gardens. D. Thomson. 
SEASONABLE GARDENING HINTS.—MARCH. 
)NCERTAIN and variable as the weather is at all seasons, in this 
country, perhaps there is no month in the year in which it is more 
changeable than in March. Advantage should therefore be taken 
of fine weather to perform all out-door operations. There must now 
be no delays, for to miss a favourable opportunity of doing anything, 
and to fall into arrears with work at this season, is a serious thing, as the 
various matters requiring care and attention, will increase rather than 
diminish in number and importance for some time to come. All cuttings 
in store pots or boxes, that have been wintered in frames or pits, should be 
potted-off. Pelargoniums of all kinds will do best in a little heat; and as 
they are less subject to the attacks of red spider and other insects than 
Verbenas and most other “bedding” plants, they may be safely put for 
a time into vineries just started. 
Fire heat should, if possible, be avoided now in plant houses. Air 
should be admitted freely in favourable weather, but cold currents of 
easterly winds must be guarded against. I would strongly advise letting 
off the confined air in glass structures in the morning, before the sun 
affects the temperature ; for I am convinced from long observation and 
experience, that much serious mischief is done in plant and forcing houses 
through neglect of this precaution. The general potting of the plants may 
now be proceeded with. The operation itself is simple enough, but is, 
nevertheless, oftentimes very badly performed, and to this cause may be 
ascribed half the failures of amateurs and young gardeners. A badly 
potted plant, however healthy when shifted, never thrives. When the 
soil is put in loose, or left in holes, the plant languishes, and dies if allowed 
to remain in that state. It is therefore of the utmost importance to place 
