APRIL. 
95 
£23,680. There are some details with re¬ 
spect to the cultivation of Cotton in Algeria 
which are not without interest. M. Masquelier 
a Flavre, merchant, is the owner of some land 
at Sig, near Oran, which he has appropriated 
to the cultivation of Cotton. He is, at pre¬ 
sent, one of the most successful planters in 
the colony; and his last year’s crop excited 
general admiration. The following are the 
returns of his produce for the last six years, 
which show the progress he has made:— 
In 1858 he commenced by planting 192 acres, 
which produced, on an average, 490 lbs. per 
acre. In 1859 the produce increased to 
531 lbs. per acre; and in 1863 it amounted 
to 1119 lbs. per acre. Almost the whole of 
M. Masquelier’s crop consists of long silk 
Cotton, which at present sells at Havre at 
3s. 11c?. per pound. One of the obstacles 
which the cultivation of Cotton encounters 
in the province of Oran is the difficulty of 
irrigation; and for that reason the colonists 
are pressing on the Government the necessity 
of embanking the river. Sig. M. Masquelier 
is not the only French Cotton planter who 
has been successful in Algeria. M. Herzog 
has, by means of watering his plants, pro¬ 
duced as much as 982 lbs. per acre. The 
natives are now beginning to profit by the 
example set them by the French planters. 
Some successful attempts have been made at 
Zenez, and the produce brought a very fair 
price at Algiers. 
Soldiers’ Gardens are to be instituted at 
Aldershott; and as a means of giving the sol¬ 
dier occupation in his leisure hours, and health¬ 
ful recreation, will doubtless be attended with 
good results. In the French army the sys¬ 
tem of having gardens cultivated by the 
soldiers has proved very successful, the men 
taking great interest in the cultivation of 
their little plots, from which they derive plea¬ 
sure as well as profit. Exhibitions might be 
instituted at the different military stations, 
and small prizes might be offered for the best 
productions and the best cultivated crops. 
CALENDAR OF 
CONSERVATORY. 
As there can be no want of flowering plants 
for decorating at this season, be scrupulously 
attentive with regard to cleanliness; dead 
leaves and dead flowers, if not removed, will 
mar the effect of the finest display of flowers. 
Cinerarias will now be gay; also some of the 
Azaleas that have been forwarded with a little 
heat. Tropseolums, when well done, are good 
objects for the conservatory; Koses ought now 
be very fine. Genistas, Epacrises, Chorozemas, 
Pultenaeas, Hoveas, Acacias, Boronias, Les- 
chenaultias, &c., will now add to the display 
and give greater variety. Give plenty of air 
and water freely. 
GREENHOUSE. 
Hardwooded Plants. —Pay the greatest atten¬ 
tion‘to the watering of all newly-potted plants, 
but more particularly slow-growing plants. 
Give air freely on fine days, but shut up 
early; syringe occasionally. Keep everything 
clean and tidy, and look out for insects. Soft- 
wooded Plants. —Stop, and pinch off the end of 
the shoots of Cupheas, Heliotropes, Salvias, 
&c., if large specimens are required. Shift 
the strongest plants into larger pots. Azaleas. 
—Attend carefully to the watering of all the 
young growing plants that have been potted; 
syringe occasionally, and give air freely in fine 
weather. Shift such large plants as are not 
showing bloom, if they require a larger size 
pot. The bloom-buds of those that are going to 
flower will now be coming • forward; water 
freely and give plenty of air on fine days. To 
prolong the period of flowering, some of the 
later kinds should be placed either in a house 
or pit with a north aspect. Camellias. —These 
should be kept pretty warm while they are 
OPERATIONS. 
making their young shoots; they should have 
but little air, and should be syringed freely. 
Cinerarias. —Many now will be in full bloom, 
others will be opening. In either state they 
are a most pleasing flower at this season of the 
year, well-grown plants being in every respect 
very interesting. The improvement made in 
the Cineraria within the last few years has 
been very great, both in form and variety. 
Flowers, such as Lady Hume Campbell, 
thought perfect a few years since, would not 
now be tolerated. Pelargoniums will now be 
in vigorous growth, the early bloomers throw¬ 
ing up their trusses. Attend to tying out the 
branches to neat osier stakes. Do not permit 
any to be crowded; a free circulation of air 
all round the plants is indispensable. If need¬ 
ful, wash the foliage thoroughly, using a 
syringe and soft water. About the end of the 
month fumigate thoroughly, whether you per¬ 
ceive green fly or not; and this should be done 
in every house and frame on the premises. 
Do not allow the plants to want water long, 
and use clear weak manure water once or 
twice a-week. 
FORCING. 
Keep up a succession of French Beans. 
Bring forward Tomatoes and Capsicums, also 
Cucumbers for ridges. Prick out into boxes 
or frames, on a little heat, Sweet Marjoram 
and Basil; also, Celery. Sow Mustard and 
Cress. Hardy Shrubs. —Keep up a moist 
atmosphere; syringe freely, and give plenty 
of air. As you remove plants in flower, fill 
up with others. Attend to previous directions. 
Cucumbers. —Attend to the directions given in 
previous Calendars. Melons. —Do not let the 
shoots get crowded; when the flowers are ex- 
