MARCEI. 
93 
Calceolarias. — Any plants struck during the winter should be re¬ 
potted into four-inch pots to succeed the first plants. If not so large, 
they will make compact handsome bushes for decorating the conserva¬ 
tory or greenhouse—for bedding out it is not too late to strike cuttings 
of the best shrubby kinds for the purpose; such as Aurea fioribunda, 
Prince of Orange, King of Sardinia, Pallida, Beauty of Montreal, Kaye, 
Dropmore, and Orange Boven. 
Conservatory and Show-house. —Spare no labour to keep up a gay 
appearance here. Cut and train climbers so that everything may look 
neat and tidy. Keep everything scrupulously clean. Pay great 
attention to giving air; give an abundance on fine sunny days, but be 
always careful to guard against cold winds. As most things will now 
be beginning to grow, water will require to be given more freely. 
Camellias, Acacias, and other large plants in border, when watered, 
should have copious supplies, so as to penetrate completely through 
the entire mass of soil; a dose of weak manure water should occasion¬ 
ally be given: when watered in this manner, so as to wet every 
particle of soil, the plants will not, of course, require it oftener than once 
a week or ten days, more or less, according to the weather. Maintain 
a temperature of 45 degrees by night, rising ten or fifteen degrees in 
the day time. In addition to the plants mentioned in last month’s 
calendar, many of the early varieties of Pelargoniums will now be 
coming into flower. Speculum Mundi, a very old sort, is very useful 
for this purpose. 
Cucumbers .—With a good bottom heat of about 80 degrees, with a 
temperature from 65 to 70 degrees by night, and from 75 to 85 
degrees by day, and with a moist atmosphere, the plants will now 
make vigorous growth. Keep the shoots properly thinned, stopped, 
and tied down. Pick off all the male blossoms, and all the fruit that 
is not wanted. Give air freely on fine days. Sow for successional 
crops. ,For general purposes, Lord Kenyon’s Favourite and Ayres’ 
Prolific Black Spine are very useful sorts. When there is plenty of 
room a few of Victory of Bath, Cuthill’s Black Spine, Mill’s Jewess, 
or Lynch’s Star of the West may be grown during the summer 
months. 
Dahlias. —March is the best month for propagating the Dahlia; 
cuttings struck now have time to make fine plants, yet are not too 
early to become stunted; therefore propagate freely, and when suffi¬ 
cient cuttings have been taken, divide the roots to make a few strong 
early plants. Sow seed towards the end of the month. 
Flower Garden. —All alterations and works here should be brought 
to a close as speedily as possible, in order that everything may have a 
neat and finished appearance as early in the season as possible. This 
is a good time to divide herbaceous plants—make good all vacancies in 
border. Discard inferior things, and introduce as many of the beauti¬ 
ful and choice things that are to be had as you can conveniently find 
room for. Sow hardy annuals in the open ground. Prune Roses; 
dress and tie up climbers. Cuttings of Verbenas, Petunias, Lobelias, 
Cupheas, &c., should be got in and placed in a nice bottom heat; they 
will be rooted and ready for potting off in a few days. When potted 
