64 THE FLORIST. 
of the month, if the ground is dry. Plant Garlic and Shallots and 
autumn sown Onions in rich soil. Make new plantations of Tarragon, 
Mint, Chives, and all kinds of herbs. Get the ground intended for 
the main crops of Onions, Carrots, Parsnips, &c., in good condition, by 
forking in dry weather; and manure and dig all vacant ground 
intended for other crops as speedily as possible. Cover Rhubarb and 
Seakale in the operf ground with pots or leaves, and give air to Cauli- 
flowers and other plants under glasses. 
Errata.—Page 29, 5th line from top, read, ‘* Those already started.” 
7th line from top, read, “‘ when the plants are dry.” 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Auriculas.—The time for topdressing has now arrived, let the com- 
post be light and rich, Those who have not used much stimulant in 
the autumn potting may use nearly all cowdung, well rotted, and some 
silver sand to keep it light and open. Several questions on this flower 
having been addressed to me in private correspondence, I hope the 
writers will be good enough to take a short article in the present number 
as an answer to their inquiries. Carnations and Picotees.—These may 
now have a good careful hand-picking given to them, the soil stirred, 
a more liberal supply of water, and plenty of air; but beware of those 
impudent sparrows, who have a great love for the tender hearts of the 
young stock. Let your compost be now turned over and got under 
cover, ready for repotting ; hand-pick it, if possible, for fear of wire- 
worm. Dahklias——Those who wish to be early in the field will now start 
their roots by putting them into a gentle heat. Avoid the mistake of 
forcing too much—this is only tolerable where a large stock is required 
from each root. Pansies——The first week in February is a very 
good time for repotting, and there is no way so effectual for securing 
good blooms. You can thus circumvent those terrible depredators, 
snails and slugs. Let the compost be sweet good loam, cowdung, 
spent hotbed-frame dung, leaf mould, and sand. ~ Topdress beds 
if you grow them thus, and plant out to fill up any vacancies. 
Pelargoniums.—If you want specimen or exhibition. plants, great 
attention must now be paid to tying-out and watering. In doing the 
former only judgment and experience can be safe guides—directions are 
not of much use. A sight of Mr. Turner’s, at any of the great exhi- 
bitions, will be a better lesson than any written one. As to the latter, 
be careful that the entire ball of earth gets well wetted, and do not 
water again until 1t becomes dryish ; nothing is worse than a ‘ sz.” 
Pinks.—Keep the surface of the beds well stirred and clean, and 
towards the end of the month top-dress, if you can get a dry time, with 
well decomposed dung. Take care that the plants are straight in the 
ground. eanunculus.—My day for planting these is February 12th. 
The beds ought this year to be in good condition, they have been well 
frosted. Turn them over, pull out all worms, and about the time named 
(not on that day, this year, for it falls on a Sunday), get the beds ready. 
Rake smooth, open drills about five inches apart and two deep, lay silver 
sand along them, and plant the roots about five inches apart. If your 
beds want filling up, Tyso, of Wallingford, or Lightbody, of Falkirk, 
can supply first-rate sorts. 
