144 THE FLORIST. 



cellent as a first shade, as they admit abundance of air, and the use 

 of them will give effect to the waterings, which, without protection 

 from the sun's rays, are soon lost by evaporation. As the blossoms 

 advance, a more effectual shade will be required, such as mats, or 

 canvass over hoojjs. The dark sorts require the greatest protection 

 both from sun and rain. Stir the surface of the bed, and stop cracks. 

 Some varieties, especially seedlings, produce more flower-buds than 

 they ought to mature ; therefore disbud all laterals, and reduce the 

 leaders to the number the plants appear capable of sustaining. If 

 seed is wanted, those varieties that offer a pericarp should be inocu- 

 lated with pollen from such as afford it, and possess striking colours 

 and good petals. The more double the flowers are from which the 

 farina is taken, the greater will be the probabiUty of procuring double 

 varieties. Tie up seed-bearing stems with two or three bands of 

 matting to short sticks. Gather seed-pods when brown. 



UosES. As those in pots go out of bloom, they should have their 

 flower-stalks removed, and a top-dressing of decayed stable-dung 

 given them, and then be placed in a shady situation. If the weather 

 is bright and sultry, this will prepare them for the autumn flowering. 

 Keep down green-fly. Succession-plants should be placed in a glass- 

 covered house, with abundance of air on all sides, and with arrange- 

 ments for shading. 



Trees (Hardy Fruit). Finish disbudding Peach-trees, if not 

 already done ; and stop and regulate the young wood upon all sorts 

 of fruit-trees. Water and mulch recently planted trees, as they may 

 require it ; and do not forget to give the strawberry- plants a very 

 liberal supply about the time that they are setting their fruit ; and 

 afterwards mulch the ground with straw, or any thing which will 

 keep the fruit clean, and retard evaporation. Destroy weeds, and 

 keep the surface of fruit-borders clean. 



Tulips. Remove the top and side cloths directly the blooms fall. 

 When the foliage turns brown, and the stems will bend without 

 breaking, the bulbs will be fit to take up. Let great care be exer- 

 cised in not exposing them for one minute to the rays of a hot sun, 

 which would surely damage or destroy them. Morning or evening 

 is the best time for taking up. Let the bulbs be exposed to the air ; 

 but it must be in a cool, dry, shady place. 



