94 
CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 
Stove. Many of the free-growing plants and climbers re¬ 
quire constant attention at this season of the year. Climbers 
should be frequently thinned and neatly tied in their places, 
and the leading shoots of fast-growing plants should be nipped 
off with the finger and thumb, and the shoots pruned out where 
too thick, for though it mav be desirable to have them as near 
their native luxuriance as is consistent, yet any approach to a 
rambling growth must be avoided. Specimen plants should be 
forwarded by all possible means, many will be found to require 
repotting; this should be repeated whenever necessary; the 
proper drainage of plants should be an object of frequent 
attention ; if a plant looks sickly turn it out of the pot and ex¬ 
amine it, in nine cases out of ten it will be found to proceed 
from an imperfect drainage; use every exertion to preserve a 
moist atmosphere; saturate the paths two or three times a day 
whenever the sun shines warm; the plants should be syringed 
twice or thrice a week, this should be done early in the day to 
allow the plants time to dry before the evening. Erythrinas 
may now be potted and brought into this department, water 
them sparingly Until they begin to grow; Amaryllis, Crinums, 
&c. require an increased supply, though care must be taken to 
prevent water lodging in their crowns; give air as directed for 
last month, that is whenever the thermometer rises to 70° of sun 
heat, but little fire heat is necessary if the house is closed early 
in the afternoon. Gesnerias may be started now. 
Greenhouse. Finish repotting as early as may be conve¬ 
nient, some free-growing plants will require repotting again by 
the end of the month ; this is the best month to repot small 
Geraniums to bloom at the end of summer and autumn. Fuch¬ 
sia Fulgens, Salvia Patens, and Triverania Coccinea may be 
placed in a gentle bottom heat to start them, as also forward 
specimens of Cacti if an early bloom is desired : the present is 
about the best time to propagate Ericas; to do this take off 
the young shoots when grown about an inch in length, square 
the bottom end with a sharp knife; trim the leaves about half 
