1876. ] 
GAEDEN WORK FOE MAECH. 
67 
after many years’ practice in top-dressing and repotting, I came to the conclusion 
that the top-dressing was best done previous to their starting into growth; I find 
this to be a preventive of check after the plants have made a start. As to the 
time for repotting, I look upon July as being the best and most suitable period 
for that operation. On these matters I might enlarge to a great extent—much 
greater, indeed, than the limits of a monthly periodical could allow ; but I may 
take up the subject again, and record some of the facts which I have learned 
from my own experience and observation. For the moment, I will conclude with 
advice as to what is to be done with the plants after the fall of the bloom. When 
the sun gets too strong for the plants in the southern aspect, they must be taken 
and placed in their summer quarters, a full north aspect being the most 
suitable, where they can have the sun from its rising up to 7 or 8 o’clock, and 
again after 4 p.m. Here they should be exposed to all weathers, except thunder¬ 
storms or heavy rains and hail, which must be guarded against at this, as at all 
seasons of the year. The plants will be at home in this situation from early in 
May, through June, and up to the middle of July, but as soon as the middle of 
July arrives I recommend the repotting to be begun forthwith, and if possible, 
finished off before the month is out. 
After the coming National Auricula Show, I will endeavour to continue this 
gossip, and will give a list of a few of the best, both of the old and newer kinds 
in each class, not forgetting the Alpines.—J. Hepwoeth, Huddersfield, 
GARDEN WORK FOR IMARCH. 
FLOWERS. 
t NOWDROPS are now becoming plentiful, showing quantities of welcome 
fiowers; these, with the golden-tipped Sedim acre^ the single blue Hepa- 
tica, and a few other flowers, indicate the advance of spring. Daisies, too? 
V are showing on warm slopes. Rooted cuttings of Cloves and other Car- 
7iations might be planted in chosen beds, and if allowed 15 in. or 18 in. apart, a 
carpeting of any favourite colour may be introduced for the summer hereafter, 
such as blue Lobelia or Koniga variegata^ separate or mixed. There is always 
plenty of time to layer the shoots at the end of the year after September, so 
that this need not be an obstacle to the old Clove being introduced into the 
parterre garden ; it is too often seen in isolated beds in the kitchen garden 
all by itself, which is scarcely giving this fine old flower fair-play. A very 
beautiful, free-flowering, and late kind, quite as late as the old Clove, is the Duke 
of Wellington,^ which should not be overlooked. All kinds of hardy flowers should 
have their rearranging finished as soon as possible. In late, cold places, Gladio¬ 
luses should be potted in 6-in. pots, and put in a cold frame ; in favoured parts 
they should be procured as soon as possible, and planted in positions least ex¬ 
posed to wind and rain; they are most invaluable when they come in late in 
autumn, and if grown in pots of rich soil, they may be lifted and brought under 
shelter, and in this way, by retarding the roots as long as possible, they may be 
got to flower late on in the winter. Flower-seeds such as Lobelia,, Pyrethruni,, &c., 
should be sown in warmth, if not already done. Preparation should also be in 
progress for the increase of all sorts of bedding-stuff. So many means are in 
G 2 
