94 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
and loam. The plants are planted 6 inches apart, and are kept topped through¬ 
out the summer, to induce a dwarf and bushy habit. About the middle of Sep¬ 
tember they are taken up and potted, being kept in a close place for about ten 
days, in order that they may get established, after which they are stored for the 
winter, and brought out in succession for forcing. Small plants like that repre¬ 
sented in the figure, are brought into flower by placing them on shelves close 
to the glass, in a stove, the heat of which is never allowed to fall below 70°, even 
ai night. The atmosphere of the house is, moreover, charged with moisture, 
and a large quantity of ammonia is given off from a bed of dung and leaves, 
which occupies a plunging pit in the centre. In such a position they bloom 
continuously for three or four months, successional crops following on as the 
others are cut. B. jasminijiora is much to be preferred to the old B. longiilora , as 
it makes better plants, and is altogether freer both in growth and bloom. 
The temperature noted above is that to which plants for flowering in Decem¬ 
ber, January, and February are subjected. At other seasons, when there is an 
abundance of sun-heat, a much lower degree of artificial warmth suffices, and in a 
hot summer the plants bloom abundantly for about three months out-of-doors, if 
grown on for the purpose. Young plants are found to be very much preferable to 
old ones. The flowers are extremely useful for bouquets.—M. 
FLOWER-GARDEN MANAGEMENT.—APRIL. 
(frfHE principal sowing of Hardy Annuals should be made as early in the 
month as possible ; sow the seed in patches, rows, or otherwise as desired, 
and cover lightly with fine dry soil. After the young plants are up they 
should be dusted over occasionally with slaked lime, to protect them from 
slugs ; the plants should be well thinned out, and to grow them fine, the land 
should be well manured and dug deeply. The main sowing of Tender Annuals 
should be made on a gentle hot-bed under a frame ; as soon as the young plants 
are up air should be given freely, and when they are large enough to handle they 
should be pricked out into beds three inches apart, to get stronger before they are 
finally planted out into beds and borders. Sow Biennials and Perennials as early 
in the month as possible. Protect Tulips and other bulbs from frost and rough 
winds. Continue to plant and propagate Hardy Perennials. Continue to plant 
Hollyhocks, seedling Pansies , and roots of Gladioli. Attend well to the water¬ 
ing of newly-planted Trees and Shrubs in dry weather. Attend to the hoeing, 
stirring, cleaning, and dressing of beds and borders. Complete alterations as soon 
as possible. Attend to mowing and sweeping, and keep every part of the garden 
clean and neat. 
In-Doors. —In order to prolong the fine display which the man y Hard-wooded 
Greenhouse plants now make, the houses should be shaded for a few hours during 
bright sunshine. Give abundance of air in mild weather, but carefully guard 
against cold cutting winds, and attend well to the watering. The plants shifted 
last month will now begin to root into the fresh soil, and should have more air 
