MAY. 
91 
Narcissus, a very fine form of the single Daffodil, is also in bloom both in pots 
and on borders, and is very showy. 
To bulbs, both in glasses and pots, I have been applying the bone-flour 
manure, which I have received from Mr. J. F. Meston, of Kentish Town. A 
very small pinch of it put into the glasses containing Hyacinths, just as the 
buds w r ere forming, seemed to impart vigour and force to the plants, and to 
heighten the beauty of the colour of the flowers. When employed in this 
manner it must be used very sparingly indeed, and with great caution, as a 
large dose will do injury to the tender rootlets. To those of my bulbs grown 
in pots I administered it in two forms :—1st, mixed with the soil; and 2nd, 
diluted with water and imparted at blooming time. In the last form I use a 
small teacupful boiled in six gallons of water. The bulbs appear to feed 
eagerly on it, and to derive considerable vigour therefrom. 
Out of doors I have a very interesting collection of Crocuses in full bloom, 
a bed of Tournesol Tulips just showing colour; several plants of Iris persica, 
with their quaint silver grey flowers ; Campernelli Jonquils, Bulbocodium 
vernum, Winter Aconites, and blue Scillas ; and last, but not least, some 
plants of the new Collinsia verna, a kind present from Mr. Thompson, of 
Ipswich, will soon be in flower. I am awaiting with increasing interest the 
unfolding of this new form of beauty. 
And so, amid change of circumstance and location, and under the in¬ 
fluence of the ever-recurring mutations of daily life, I yet have about me my 
floral subjects—a very autocrat, and yet wielding a mild and gentle rule ; and 
wdiether there be sunshine or storm, whether calamity or blessing, may I be 
able to copy their silent, but not less expressive example, and— 
* ‘ Look up in sunshine with a smile, 
And gently bend in showers.” 
Quo. 
THE CINERARIA. 
Where a gardener gives the public the benefit of his experience in the 
culture of any particular race of plants, he does so in the conviction that there 
are numbers who know less of the matter than himself, and would be glad to 
profit by what he may have to impart; still he cannot be blind to the fact, 
that his lucubrations must first pass through a terrible ordeal under the editorial 
dissecting-knife, and then run the gauntlet of the critical eyes of a great many 
gardeners and others who know as much, or more, than the writer himself. He 
can have no doubt that his work will be criticised; but then it is satisfactory 
to know, that of all critics the one who knows the most is the least to be 
dreaded, for he either remains silent or points out an error in a manner that 
cannot possibly offend, but is more likely to give the greatest pleasure. 
In offering a few remarks on the culture of the Cineraria, I wish it to be 
understood that I simply give my experience to the best of my ability. I have 
known instances where a gentleman, having read the cultural remarks of some 
one, has shown them to his gardener in the hope that he might profit by them, 
and the gardener would take it as an attack on his own kuowledge of the matter, 
and labour hard to show that the writer was radically wrong and knew nothing 
of the subject, at the same time promising wonderful things in order that his 
own cleverness might be apparent. Now, this is just the sort of critic who, 
though little to be feared, is much disliked; but he is only mischievous when 
he is believed, and though very clever in his own estimation, he would show 
his good sense by calmly and quietly discussing the matter, instead of resorting 
to abuse or simply contradicting what he reads. 
