If not already done, Gloxinias should be taken out from old soil and potted in smaller pots and placed in a good heat. When in growth these plants require shade from bright sun and must not be wet over the foliage, also require careful watering; if allowed to get very dry and kept in a dry atmosphere, a small species of thrip is troublesome and spoils the foliage; it is very difficult to destroy, the woolly foliage being a capital hiding place and the plant cannot be syringed. Heavy fumigation also injures the plants; the only way to prevent its appearance is by careful cultivation.

Achimenes will be already started into growth and should be potted, several plants in small pots or large numbers into shallow pans. If large masses are required, a light open soil of peat, leaf soil and sand placed lightly into pots or pans suit these plants best, with same treatment as Gloxinias. The Achimenes are capital summer basket plants; in fact, while they last, make more show than any other plant I am acquainted with, but to realize their full beauty the basket must be large and suspended high enough to walk under it; for this purpose any wire basket will do; even a common ox muzzle for a small basket. The only preparation the plants require is to sow the tubers in shallow boxes of light soil, and when the shoots are about three inches high they are ready for filling the baskets, which is a very simple affair. Have a heap of soil and a quantity of moss in readiness; commence by covering the bottom of the basket with moss, to prevent the soil falling through; place a portion of soil at the bottom and lay a row of plants all round quite thick together; commence building moss around sides, fill in with soil, place another row of plants, and so on until the basket is filled with soil and the shoots surround the outside; fill the top with plants as if filling a pan, give it a good watering and it is complete.

Keep in shade for a few days and then suspend in full sun. The plants will grow and commence to flower in a few weeks, and last in full beauty for a long time if kept well watered, and when in full growth will be grand. We had a number of these baskets in the Victoria House, and also in the large conservatory at Chatsworth, which were finer than any seen elsewhere; these were a ball of flowers about six feet in diameter, and were replaced by baskets of Epiphyllum and other plants in the winter.