96 THE FLORIST. 



on the following morning wash thoroughly with rain-water ; water 

 occasionally with clear liquid manure-water, consisting of three parts 

 sheep-dung, one cow- dung, one horse-droppings, and a small quan- 

 tity of unslacked lime, to a sufficiency of rain-water to render it 

 weak enough; use it a fortnight after it is mixed. Where a succes- 

 sion of flowers is required, if a few plants are shifted into pots two 

 sizes larger than those they are in, and stopped back in the last 

 week of this month, they will flower in the middle of August. After 

 these have well broken, keep them in as cold a place as possible ; if 

 it is in the north side of the house, and protected from heavy rains, 

 so much the better. 



Pinks. If the beds have not been top-dressed, do it the first 

 dry day. Hoe the surface, and destroy insects. Pinks preserved in 

 pots through the winter should now be put out ; be careful not to 

 break the ball of earth more than is possible, for the less the fibres 

 are disturbed the finer and more correctly will the flowers lace. It 

 is not too late to sow seed. The snail, the slug, and the wood- 

 louse devour young Pinks : the best protection against them is to fix 

 the pans over water. 



Polyanthuses in pots should be treated as Auriculas ; but they 

 will require more water. Preserve the named flowers in beds from 

 slugs. Look over seed-beds, and mark promising sorts. 



Ranunculuses. If the soil runs or cakes, it should be scratched 

 over with a small fork, and about three quarters of an inch of fine 

 sand added as top-dressing. Protect choice beds from late frosts. 

 Seedlings should be watered regularly, and shaded ; one dry day 

 without protection is sufficient to ruin a spring- sown crop. A little 

 rich fine mould should be sprinkled over the young plants as a top- 

 dressing. 



Roses in Pots. Keep a sharp look-out for young shoots as they 

 start from last month's pruning, for the rose-maggot will be busy at 

 work before the shoot is unfolded. Water once a week with liquid 

 manure. 



Tulips. Stir the surface carefully, to prevent it becoming crusted, 

 particularly before blooming time. It is to be presumed that your 

 covering is in its place, and is used for the necessary protection; 

 frosts will prove its usefulness against both cold and cats. If the 

 latter end of the month is very dry, give a slight watering in the 

 evening over the foliage through a fine-rosed water-pot, and im- 

 mediately cover the beds with the mats. The freshness and vigour 

 consequent on this will be apparent in the morning. 



