er and December, and those who care for a display at that early
period should sow in April.

Cinerarias grow so freely that it is not necessary to prick the
seedlings off round the edges of pots or pans; but immediately the
plants begin to make their second leaves, transfer direct to thumb pots,
using rather coarse soil, and in doing this take care not to cover the
hearts of the plants. Place the pots in a close frame; attend to
shading, and sprinkle with soft water both morning and evening until
well established. In the second week after potting, gradually diminish
the heat and give more air. Too high a temperature, and even too much
shade, will produce thin and weak leaf-stalks. If the plants are so
crowded that they touch one another it will almost certainly be
injurious, and render them an easy prey to some of their numerous
enemies. It is far better to grow a few really fine specimens that will
produce a handsome display of superb flowers, than to attempt a large
number of feeble plants that will prove a constant source of trouble,
and in the end yield but a poor return in bloom. Endeavour to grow them
as nearly hardy as the season will allow, even admitting the night air
freely on suitable occasions. Immediately the thumb pots are filled with
roots, shift to a larger size, and it is important that this operation
should not be delayed a day too long. To the practised eye the
alteration of the colour of the leaves to a pale green is a sufficient
intimation that starvation has commenced, and that prompt action is
necessary to save the plants. It is the custom of some growers to
transfer at once to the size in which they are intended to bloom. There
is, however, some danger to the inexperienced in over-potting, and
therefore one intermediate shift is advisable. As a rule 32-size pots
are large enough, but the 24-or even the 16-size is allowable when very
fine specimens are required. The seedlings should be in their final
pots not later than the end of November.

It will help to harden and establish the plants if they are placed in
the open air during August and September. A north border under the
shelter of a wall or building is the most suitable spot, but avoid a
hedge of any kind. Clear away suckers, and if many buds are presented,
every third one may be removed when very fine blooms are wanted. From
the first appearance of the buds, manure water can be given with
advantage once or twice a week until the flowers sh