THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
I 
about the first of January, then, by giving it a warm 
situation, a profusion of bloom will be secured. The 
Roman and Polyanthus Narcissus will force readily with 
the care given tire Hyacinth. 
Lily of the Valley .—The Same. This is another diffi¬ 
cult subject to manage. For early forcing, a degree of 
heat and amount of moisture that cannot be secured 
in the living or drawing-room, is a necessity. The 
temperature must not only be high, but constant, by 
night as by day. It is a plant we should never recom¬ 
mend for house culture, and one that troubles the pro¬ 
fessional llorist more Ilian all others. 
Dendrobiuin.— Same. It is difficult to answer this 
query, unless we know the species you have. Suppos¬ 
ing it to be D. Nobile , which is one of the more com¬ 
mon, we would remark that this plant makes the best 
appearance when cultivated in a pot. The soil should 
be composed of about one-half fibrous loam, and 
the oilier portion made up of sphagnum moss and rotten 
wood. The base of their stems should be elevated two 
or three inches above the top of the pot, to prevent 
water standing around their roots, which would be fatal 
to them. The temperature of the house in which they 
are grown, is a consideration of thegreatest importance; 
it requires to be assimilated as nearly as possible to 
that of their native positions, and may be described as 
one of three distinct phases: a dry and warm season, in 
which the plants produce their flower, to be succeeded 
by one still warmer, and in which an abundance of 
- moisture must be present, as it is at this time that 
new growths are ell'coted, and this active season must 
be followed by one suited to produce a state of rest, by 
reducing the amount of heat and moisture. The flow¬ 
ering season is generally from the first of December to 
about the end of March, when the temperature should 
be from 05 deg. to 70 deg. When in the growing state 
they require a temperature of from 80 deg. to 90 deg., 
and when at rest, a temperature of from 50 deg to GO 
deg. 
Fungus on Geraniums.— Same. This arises from 
some unnatural condition of growth—may be from an 
exhausted state of t lie soil, or from too much water,when 
the plants were making but little growth. Itisadisease 
of some kind, from which the plants will recover if 
turned out of the pots into the open border in summer, 
giving them a fresh, sweet soil. 
Plants Damping Off.— Mrs. E. JR., Toledo. Young- 
seedlings require to be grown ccol, and to have plenty 
of light and ah - . A deficiency of the two latter elements 
is undoubtedly the cause of your young plants 
“ spindling.” 
Daphne Odorata.— L. H. Weston. After flowering, 
cut back to make more branches, and it will keep the 
plant in better shape; besides, if the plant has sufficient 
nourishment, each branch will have a terminal cluster 
of flowers. 
Passiflora Princeps.— M. T. M. This plant must not 
be grown in a crock, which is a glazed earthen vessel 
for holding water; it should be planted out in the green¬ 
house, in rich soil. As a house plant, it may be grown 
in a pot, which, for a flowering plant, should be ten 
or twelve inches across, and provided with good drain¬ 
age. The soil should be rich and open. Cut back only 
when required to keep within bounds. 
113 
Aphis.— C. N. Bixby. Wet your ground thoroughly 
with strong lime-water when this troublesome pest 
makes its appearance. Tobacco-dust in liberal quanti¬ 
ties mixed through the soil, will generally destroy 
them. Verbenas should not ever be planted two years in 
succession in the same bed. Change annually and you 
will have less trouble from Aphis. 
Oleander.— Mrs. Wm. Mowthrop, Rush Lake, la. 
The Oleander, if grown from a cutting, should flower 
the second year. Encourage as much growth £8 possi¬ 
ble, then give it a good rest. After flowering, cut well 
back. 
Lilac.— Same. The only way to keep the Lilac in 
tree-form, is to remove all the suckers, as fast as they 
appear. 
Calla.— Mrs. Lem uel Pearce. We cannot say why your 
Calla has not bloomed; it ought to, and perhaps will 
yet. If not, next summer keep it dry for three months; 
it may have been deprived of its needed rest. 
Carnations.— Mrs. John W. Black. Your seedling 
Carnations should have flowered this winter. As soon 
as the weather will permit, pinch the shoots off nearly 
to the ground, and plant them in the garden, giving 
them the same attention you would an ordinary vege¬ 
table. They will flower during autumn; or if you want 
them for winter blooming, pick them back again 
about the first of July, and put them in pots about the 
middle of September. 
Hyacinths .—The Same. Hyacinths that have bloomed 
in the house in winter, may be planted in the garden as 
soon as ready; they will not be worth much, however. 
Plants for Winter Flowering.— Same. The best se¬ 
lection will depend much upon the situation you 
have for them. If you have plenty of sun and heat, 
Callas and Geraniums will do nicely. If but little light, 
Primulas, Ferns, Begonias, and succulent plants can be 
grown to advantage, and make a fine display. For 
reasons already given we cannot assist our friends in 
making exchanges of seeds and plants, neither can we 
recommend one seedsman in preference'to another. We 
believe all bur advertisers reliable and trustworthy. 
Should not accept their advertisement if we thought 
otherwise. 
Azaleas and Camellias.— Mrs. C., Baltimore, JMd. 
It is natural for the Azalea to drop its leaves at the 
season of flowering. The trouble with yours is, we 
fear, too much water when at rest. Until the flower¬ 
ing buds begin to swell, very little water should be 
given to them. The same trouble is what causes your 
Camellia buds to drop. Both plants should be kept 
during winter nearly dry, and in a temperature as near 
to the freezing point as possible, without reaching it. 
As soon as their buds begin to swell, give more heat 
and water, but at all times keep them cool. 
Begonias .—The Same. It depends much on the 
variety of this plant, as to how much water it must 
have. All the species, however, require considerable 
moisture, and when in a growing state, to succeed 
well, they should be watered liberally. 
