THE FLORIST. 
255 
be applied in dribblets every day, but altogether withheld until 
the surface of the ball feels dry. Some gardeners are very expert 
in ascertaining the state of the soil, by striking the sides of the 
pots sharply with the knuckle : if the sound emitted be flat and 
solid, no water is needed ; if, on the contrary, a slight ringing or 
vibratory sound follows, water is required. This mode, however, 
will only act on tolerably large pots. As, at this particular time, 
air is more than usually essential, to aid in restoring the plants 
to a healthy state previous to their wfinter confinement, lose not a 
breath of it: place your plants on inverted pots, should your 
stage or rack happen not to be composed of open rails, which, 
for this class of plants, is certainly the most desirable mode of 
fitting up a green-house. No doubt some decayed foliage will 
require rubbing off, stray branches confined, and a broken stick 
here and there will present itself: let these little matters be looked 
to; it casts an air of neatness and carefulness through the house. 
Speaking of sticks reminds me of the propriety to use as few as 
possible, supporting only the main branches of those thin, weak- 
wooded varieties, incapable of sustaining their own weight. I 
am induced to repeat this recommendation now, from the fact that 
this mode of confining the plant during the damp weather of 
winter often engenders mildew. Above all things, do not crowd: 
let there be plenty of space for air to circulate freely. 
Whitehill, 1 9th Aug. W. H. Story. 
Fuchsias, —Plants that are intended to be started in heat about 
February should be now cut down, kept tolerably dry, and as 
cool as possible. Seedlings of a promising character should be 
treated in the same way, if you do not want to seed them ; by 
this means you will get them into growth earlier in the spring, 
and bloom in July, instead of, perhaps, September. The seeding 
a plant no doubt retards its next year’s bloom, as well as weakens 
the constitution of the plant. My seedlings of 1847 have suffered 
much from this cause. W. H. Story. 
Whitehill , 19th Aug. 
Pansies. —Prepare beds for planting, the first week in October, those 
intended for early spring bloom. Keep the young plants clear, 
and free from all dead or diseased foliage, mildew, &c. Sow 
seed. C. Turner. 
Pelargoniums. —General attention to the plants of all kinds is re- 
quired to keep them clean from green-fly. Readers must not be 
tired of hearing this, for if they are allowed to accumulate, the 
beauty of the tender foliage will be quite destroyed, and they are 
sure to select it. I have often brushed them off the young shoots, 
and have considered the plant quite clean; but have found, in 
looking them over a few days afterwards, that they were as bad 
as ever; therefore fumigation must be attended to. It will be 
desirable in this month to get the different soils in an open shed, 
ready for repotting for a final shift this year. Stop back young 
plants w 7 hen ready, allowing them to have two or three eyes to 
break from ; this will make them bushy plants. Seedlings should 
