[March 31. 
3:30 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
them a moderate supply. Avoid syringing till tbo 
divisions are fairly established. 
Some may not require so many plants as we may 
suppose a tolerably large one would make, when 
divided as we have described above, but are still 
desirous of having a duplicate plant. In such a 
case we should say, take off only one division, but do 
not be niggardly about it. Take off a piece large 
enough to be sure to grow. Four stems is the lowest 
number to be sure to make a plant. 
We have rather dwelt upon this plant, perhaps 
some of our readers may think too long, but it is 
really such a tine species, a free grower, free flowerer, 
and easily managed, if rightly operated upon, that 
we think we have not written one word, too much 
upon the points of culture it requires. Upon these 
points we are quite positive and certain, ii our 
readers follow them exactly, they will be sure to grow 
Sob ralia macrantha to great perfection, and make 
their small plants large ones in a very short time. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Auriculas and Polyanthuses. — If our instruc¬ 
tions have been attended to, these beautiful spring 
flowers will now be looking fresh and healthy, put¬ 
ting forth their young leaves with vigour, and, as it 
were, looking happy and grateful tor the care and 
attention bestowed upon them. As they are now in 
a critical time to bring their flowers to perfection, 
the utmost attention must be paid to keep them safe 
from drought and cold cutting winds, which, at this 
time of the year, very often prevail to a great degree. 
In answer to a correspondent, we subjoin a list of 
12 of the best polyanthuses, and 12 good ones of an 
older date, and cheaper :—■ 
FIRST SET. 
Addis’s Kingfisher, 10s Gd 
[This is n new variety, of 
most excellent qualities.] 
Clegg’s Lord John Russell, 
2s fid 
Collier’s Princess Royal, 
2s 6d 
Crawshaw’s Invincible, 3s fid 
Craiggy’s Highland Mary, 
2s fid 
Chadwick’s Elegant, new, 5s 
Erring ton's Fire King, 3s fid 
Gibbon’s Royal Sovereign, 
2s fid 
Hutton’s Earl Lincoln, os 
Maimd’s Beauty of Eng¬ 
land, 2s fid 
Nicholson’s Bang Europe, 
3s fid 
Urquhart’s Princess Royal, 
7s fid 
SECOND SET. 
Buck’s George IV., Is ! Hudson’s Negro Boy, Is fid 
Barnard’s Formosa, Is fid ; Moore’s Freedom, Is fid 
[This is an excellent va- Nicholson’s King, Is 
riety to breed from.] | Pearson’s Alexander, Is fid 
Bullock's Lancer, Is fid [Also a good breeder.] 
Cox’s Prince Regent, Is j Toone’s Black Diamond, Is 
Fletcher's Defiance, Is fid Wild's Black and Gold, Is 
Hufton’s Lord llancliff, Is j 
Carnations and Picotees. —The Wireworm is a 
great enemy to these flowers, and must be diligently 
sought for and put to death, or it will soon kill, 
perhaps, your finest varieties. It is an insidious 
foe, creeping in the earth like a mole, working its 
way to the stems out of sight, boring into them 
just under the surface, and living upon the pith 
and marrow of its prey. The plant for a time 
appears healthy, but suddenly droops in its fresh¬ 
ness and dies. If it be then examined, there will be 
found nothing left but the outer skin or bark, the 
leaves, and, may be, the enemy himself devouring his 
last meal. It is commonly said, prevention is better 
than cure, in this case, however, there is no cure. 
To save these lovely fragrant plants from this con¬ 
cealed enemy, they must be prevented coming near 
them. Unfortunately, they abound most in the loam 
the carnation thrives best in. This loam must then 
be diligently examined, morsel by morsel, and every 
one of these destructive pests destroyed; and, as a 
further precaution, traps must be laid lor them. 
Insert into the soil, whether the plants are grown in 
pots, or in the open border, as near the plants as 
possible without injuring the roots, some slices of 
potatoes, with the eyes cut out, or slices of swede 
turnip will do. Examine these traps every three or 
four days ; pick out the wireworms it there aLe any, 
and set the traps again. By these means, well and 
diligently applied, the plants may be preserved. As 
this is the time for potting into bloqming pots, it is 
a good opportunity to examine the soil previously to 
using it; and if only one is found, it will be wise to 
set the traps at the same time. 
Dahlias.— Those roots that have been put into a 
gentle heat for the purpose of propagation, will now 
be pushing forth young shoots. These shoots, as 
soon as they are three inches long, should be cut ofi 
near to the bulbs or tubers, but not quite close. A 
couple of eyes should be left to start again, it it is 
desired to increase the stock greatly, either tor sale 
or for exchanging, the cuttings may be put in rather 
thickly round the edges of the cutting pots. The best 
material to strike them in, is fine pure white sand, 
with a little soil at the bottom of each pot. The best 
place to strike them is upon a gentle hotbed, under 
a frame. Just give them a gentle watering at the 
first to settle the sand, and shade them from the sun. 
They will soon put out roots. T. Afpleby. 
THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 
Asparagus.— Persevere in maintaining a well pul¬ 
verized surface, so that no obstruction that can cause 
deformity may occur to the young growing shoots. 
Salt, in small portions, may be applied to advantage, 
in showery weather, as the growing season advances. 
The best time for applying it is in showery growing 
weather, through the midst of the cutting season; and 
when that is over continue the application of the 
salt, in order to encourage a luxuriance for the ensu¬ 
ing season. 
Angelica.— This being an early growing plant, 
should now meet with encouragement. With careful 
regard to surface stirring, and applications of liquid- 
manure, a few plants may thus be made to produce 
an abundance of its fine clear coloured stalks. The 
blossom stalks should in due season be picked out, so 
as to give all possible encouragement to the leal 
stalks, which are the most esteemed for preserving. 
The present is also a good season to sow Angelica 
seed, for securing strong plants lor the next seasons 
produce; this should be done in drills four feet apart. 
Artichokes. —Give these their final thinning, 
unless it is requisite to have suckers enough lor 
another successional planting, which is the best way 
to secure artichokes fit for table until late in the 
autumn. Liberal applications of liquid-manure will 
greatly encourage their luxuriance, as well as an 
abundant successional produce. 
Cardoons. —For this esteemed winter vegetable, a 
good preparation should be made. The space where 
some of the brocoli have been cleared away, or any 
other spare ground, should at this season be well 
manured and ridge-trenched, so as to get it well 
