THE CINERARIA. 
193 
THE CINERARIA. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
It is the province of the cultivator to look far into the future 
for the results of present operations, and without this faculty of 
forethought his best exertions prove abortive; we are but just 
passed the summer, surrounded by floral beauties on every hand, 
the treasures of the garden are displayed in rich profusion, and 
objects of admiration court our every step; the gardener, how¬ 
ever, is already turning his thoughts from the gratified approval 
of past labours to the preparations necessary for another and more 
dreary season; his winter flowers already engage attention, and 
among them, as the queen of spring, the Cineraria occupies no 
inconsiderable share. 
In order to secure early blooming plants for next year, it is 
necessary to prepare the stock either in July or beginning of the 
following month ; the earliest flowering specimens are produced 
from cuttings struck then, and to succeed them, seed should be 
sown at the same time. The culture of established varieties is by 
no means difficult, and as few plants exceed them in gaiety through 
the spring months, when flowers are so much esteemed, it is by 
no means surprising their acknowledged usefulness and beauty 
should have made them favourites alike in the greenhouse and the 
sitting-room; the fragrance, too, of many varieties is of that 
subdued and pleasant tone as to be grateful even in a confined 
atmosphere. 
An examination of the specimens which bloomed last spring 
will show at this season a number of lateral stems, proceeding 
from the base of the old plant; many of these, in all probability, 
will be found to have formed roots which have taken hold of the 
soil beneath them ; such as these offer a ready means of increase, 
they need only be detached close to their origin, and carefully 
lifting the roots out of the earth, are distinct plants at once ; if 
they are potted and placed in a close frame for a few days, scarce 
any check will be felt from the removal; the remaining portion 
may be taken away at the same time, and struck in the manner 
of ordinary cuttings, under a hand-glass, on a warm border, where, 
