August  2,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
101 
Cover  the  pan  itself  with  a  piece  of  glass  covered  with  brown  paper 
or  damp  moss.  This  not  only  checks  evaporation,  but  also  prevents 
the  attack  of  vermin.  Wipe  the  under  surface  of  the  glass  each  day 
until  the  seeds  have  germinated.  Should  water  be  required  it  must 
be’ given  byfpartially  submerging  the  pan  in  water,  allowing  it  to  filter 
upwards.  ' 
Treatment  of  Seedlingrs. 
In  about  ten  days  the  majority  of  the  young  plants  will  have  made 
their  appearance.  Afford  prompt  attention  by  the  removal  of  the  glass, 
and  otherwise  nursing  the  young  seedlings.  Keep  a  sharp  look  out  for 
slugs,  or  one  morning  it  will  be  found  that  the  young  plants  have 
disappeared.  On  the  appearance  of  the  rough  leaf  prick  off  in  either 
pans  or  boxes,  at  a  distance  of  3  inches  apart,  using  a  rather  coarser 
onixture ;  transfer  again  to  the  frame,  keeping  them  well  up  to  the 
light,  affording  cool,  moist,  growing  treatment. 
First  Potting. 
As  they  become  ready  keep  them  moving  by  repotting  into  well- 
•drained  3-inch  pots  ;  a  richer  soil  may  now  be  used  by  adding  a  little 
for  by  the  production  of  long  sappy  growth  with,  probably,  attacks  of 
red  spider  thrown  in.  By  the  latter  part  of  October  their  proper  place 
will  be  on  a  shelf  in  a  cool  span-roofed  greenhouse,  as  near  the 
glass  as  possible,  attending  to  their  requirements  in  the  way  of  water, 
picking  off  decayed  leaves. 
Final  Potting. 
Probably  before  this  takes  place,  which  should  be,  if  all  has  gone 
well,  towards  the  latter  part  of  February,  the  plants  will  have  shown  a 
flower  truss.  This  always  carries  the  largest  individual  blooms,  but  to 
obtain  fine  specimens  it  is  advisable  to  pinch  this,  in  order  to  obtain 
finely  balanced  stocky  plants.  As  regards  soil,  a  similar  mixture  to  the 
one  used  at  the  previous  potting  will  suit  their  requirements,  though  a 
little  of  some  approved  fertiliser,  such  as  Clay’s,  may  be  added.  The 
soil  should  be  particularly  sweet,  any  sourness  proving  fatal  to  flowering. 
Careful  potting  must  be  practised,  avoiding  injury  to  the  leaves,  which 
are  at  all  times  very  brittle,  and  susceptible  to  the  least  touch.  Press 
the  soil  moderately  firm,  but  avoid  ramming,  or  the  roots  will  not 
ramify  freely  ;  replace  them  in  their  former  quarters,  and  keep  them  cool 
Fig.  29.— a  CORNER  OF  THE  SWEET  PEA  SHOW. 
flried  cow  manure.  Attend  to  the  requirements  of  the  plants  in  the 
way  of  water,  never  allowing  them  to  become  dry.  Keep  a  sharp  look 
out  for  green  fly,  vapourising  with  the  advertised  remedies,  according 
to  the  directions  that  accompany  the  packages.  Once  insect  pests 
obtain  a  foothold  curling  of  the  leaves  occurs  to  the  speeUy  deterioration 
of  the  young  plants. 
Second  Potting. 
I  By  the  latter  part  of  September,  if  all  has  gone  well,  they  will  be 
ready  for  another  shift,  this  time  into  5  and  6-inch  pots,  according  to 
the  siz3  and  strength  of  the  iudividual  plants.  As  these  will  be  the  size 
in  which  they  will  have  to  stand  the  winter,  especial  care  must  be 
taken  to  insure  good  drainage.  For  this  potting  a  suitable  compost  will 
be  found  in  a  mixture  cf  two  parts  fibrous  loam,  one  each  of  leaf 
mould  and  well  dried  cow  manure,  with  small  pieces  of  charcoal 
and  a  little  soot,  while  sufficient  sand  must  be  added  to  insure  a 
thorough  porous  oonlition  of  the  soil. 
A  pit  for  a  short  while  longer  from  which  frost  can  be  excluded  will 
suit  them  admirably,  but  bear  in  mind  the  less  fire  heat  used  in  their 
cultivation^the  better  for  their  welfare  ;  any  excess  of  this  will  be  paid 
and  near  the  glass,  in  order  to  encourage  firm  sturdy  growth ;  do  not 
be  sparing  of  syringing  between  the  pots,  and  occasionally  on  the 
leaves  ;  keep  decaying  leaves  picked  off.  Wage  war  against  green  fly 
by  vapourising  promptly,  taking  care  to  have  the  foliage  dry  prior 
to  doing  so. 
When  they  are  full  of  roots  liquid  food  may  be  resorted  to, 
avoiding  all  manures  of  a  hot  nature,  or  which  have  much  of  the 
element  lime  in  their  composition.  If  the  plants  are  strong  and 
healthy,  with  that  fine  large  glossy  foliage  which  expert  Calceolaria 
growers  know  so  well  how  to  produce,  they  will  stand  a  fairly  strong 
beverage.  Cow  drainage,  diluted  according  to  strength,  alternated 
with  clear  water,  answers  the  purpose  admirably.  Stake  and  tie 
out  the  plants  a  week  or  so  before  flowering,  and  during  the  period  of 
display  water  with  clear  water  only.  Maintain  a  cool,  buoyant  atmo¬ 
sphere,  admit  air  freely  not  only  to  prolong  the  display,  but  to  disperse 
all  moisture  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  keep  them  well  shaded  from 
the  rays  of  the  sun.  If  seed  has  been  procured  from  a  reliable 
source  the  grower  will  be  amply  repaid  by  a  display  of  plants  which 
for  richness  of  colours  would  be  difficult  to  surpass  among  any  other 
class  of  plants. — Geo.  Hagon. 
