2d. Treatment In The Green-House

The plants for exhibition are placed on the stage at least four feet apart; air liberally supplied where the situation will allow it; the front sashes should be left open all night, while the weather will permit. In November the plants are stopped, a stick put to each shoot to make the plants uniform, and the leaves thinned out to allow the air to pass freely through the plants.

"In December or January the strongest plants are again selected, and repotted into No. 8 sized pots; additional heat should then be applied to enable the plants to root quickly. In February commence syringing them; this is done early in the afternoon, so that the leaves may dry before night.

"In March again repot into No. 2 sized pots, allowing a larger quantity than before of potsherds for drainage; water is now very liberally supplied.

"When the flowers begin to expand, they are shaded on the outside of the house with cheese-cloth, which is better than canvas, as it admits more light, and the temperature will not be higher. Air should always be admitted before the sun has much power on the glass; this precaution in a great measure prevents the appearance of the green-fly.

"3d. In applying fire heat the greatest care is required, lor on this success will in a great measure depend. Light the fires at three or four o'clock in the afternoon, as circumstances may dictate; the fires to go out at eight or nine o'clock, by which time the temperature ought to be 40° or 42° Fahrenheit, which is amply sufficient; relight them at three or four o'clock in the morning, by which means the plants are never overheated, as is frequently the case when the fires are continued until a later period in the evening.

4th. Preparing The Soil

Chop up loam with the turf and place in a deep pit; shake up lightly into a heap in the form of a mushroom bed. If the weather is hot and dry at the time, well water with strong manure water, and cover over with slates as closely as possible to keep the ammonia, etc, from disengaging. In this state let it remain for fifteen or sixteen days, then put to every barrowful of loam one of dung, covering the heap slightly over at last with loam; let this heap remain for a month or five weeks, then to be turned over three or four times, that the loam and dung may be well mixed together; in twelve months it will be fit for use. To two barrowfuls of this compost add one of leaf-mould and a peck and a half of silver-sand." - Gard. Chron.

Manures

As already stated liquid manure made from sheep's dung is the best application, but a little rubbly charcoal, about the size of nuts, and a small quantity of bone-dust, promote the luxuriance and beauty of these flowers.

Disease. See Spot.