JUNE. 143 



heat of a mid-day sun. Give the plants plenty of room. Certain 

 shoots will break through, and grow ranker than others ; these should 

 be stopped in an early stage, say when three inches long ; no shoots 

 should be pinched off later than June. Water regularly. 



Ericas. As soon as the early- blooming varieties become un- 

 sightly, remove the decaying blossoms with a pair of small-pointed 

 scissors, first taking away all the supports ; this done, repot, regulat- 

 ing the shift to the health and habit of the plant. When shifted, 

 place them for a few days in a shady, airy situation ; then remove 

 them to their summer quarters, which should be an exposed situa- 

 tion, protected from alternate rains and scorching sunshines by a 

 thin canvass awning. Plants that have yet to bloom must, of neces- 

 sity, receive such shelter as a house alone can give ; but on all 

 favourable opportunities throw each cover and light open to their 

 full extent. Examine each pot daily, and water liberally those that 

 emit the well-known ring. 



Fuchsias. The principal attention that they require this month 

 consists in watering, giving support to those seedlings that require 

 it, tying out and arranging future growth of specimens, and fumigat- 

 ing for aphides. 



Pansies. Thin the young shoots, water with weak liquid ma- 

 nure, and shade very sparingly ; shading should only be resorted to 

 in very hot weather a few days before the blooms are wanted for 

 exhibition. 



Pelargoniums. Where any young shoots can be spared, they 

 can be taken off, and two or three put into a 3-inch pot, placing 

 them round the edge. If plunged into a gentle bottom-heat, they 

 will be ready to pot off in three weeks ; and by shifting them on as 

 they fill their pots, they will make good specimens for the next season. 

 After the plant is potted off out of the cutting-pot, and you can en- 

 sure three or four eyes, pinch the top out, and train the shoots out 

 as they grow. Seedlings of promise should have notes taken of 

 them, and cut down, if not wanted for exhibition ; let the plants be 

 dry before cutting down. 



Pinks. If the weather should set in hot and dry, a large supply 

 of water will be requisite, to assist the swelling of the pods, and to 

 insure a free development of tlie blossom. Prepare all requisites for 

 blooming, the glasses for forwarding, the shades and tables, &c. ; 

 and have all clean, and fit for immediate use. Go over the plants 

 daily, select the most promising buds, and carefully tie them in good 

 time ; and look to those that have been tied a day or two previously ; 

 if too tight, release them, and retie. Manure- water may be given 

 two or three times a week ; and during the expanding of the blos- 

 soms, water the footways round the beds once or twice during the 

 heat of the day. The piping-bed should now be prepared, and no 

 time lost in taking cuttings. Prepare a bed for seedhngs, make the 

 surface- soil rather fine, and take advantage of the first dripping 

 weather about the end of the month to plant out. 



Polyanthuses. Gather the seed, as directed for Auriculas. 



Ranunculuses. Shade every clear day ; flake-hurdles are ex- 



