JULY. 167 



Carnations and Picoteks. These flowers will now absorb the 

 attention of the Florist. They are generally in perfection from the 

 20th to the 30th of this month, and between these dates would be 

 the best time for an exhibition to take place. Weak li(|uid manure 

 may be used occasionally, if the weather is dry. Protect forward 

 buds (as soon as they shew colour) with small glasses. 



Cinerarias. Sow seed now for new varieties ; if properly at- 

 tended to, they will make fine plants by the autumn, and will flower 

 all the winter. Sow in pots or pans well drained, and in mould of 

 a light texture ; cover the seed slightly ; keep it constantly moist and 

 in the shade until it is well above ground. As soon as the plants 

 have formed the rough leaf, let them be pricked off into store-pots 

 for a little while. Where the old plants begin to throw up suckers, 

 a few of them may also be potted for an early stock. 



Dahlias. The principal things to attend to are, to keep them 

 well watered, which should be done at night, with soft water, over 

 the foliage, and to look well after insects ; earwigs eat the young 

 foliage as well as the blooms of Dahlias, and should be trapped and 

 got under as soon as the plants are out. Rake the surface between 

 the plants as often as it becomes at all hard and run together by rain. 

 Tie the plants as they advance in growth. 



Epacrises. Watering and weeding are all that will be neces- 

 sary to those plants that have been shifted and settled in their sum- 

 mer quarters. 



Ericas. Ditto. 



Fuchsias not forced will be now beginning to shew flower. Ar- 

 range the new growth, to assist the effect when in full bloom, by 

 placing a stick here and there amongst the foliage as inconspicuously 

 as possible. If properly managed, two or three short stiff sticks will 

 answer the purpose. This is effected by tying to the old spurs, 

 which, by a slight deviation on this side or that, will effect the 

 object sought. Care must be taken not to attempt too much, or 

 you will split the wood, it being somewhat brittle. This mode of 

 tying will only answer for those plants that have been kept well 

 stopped ; those that have been suffered to go, must, of course, be 

 arranged in the ordinary way. 



Pansies. Gather seed, and continue to increase new or fine 

 varieties, which should be transplanted as soon as struck, into a bed 

 prepared with light sandy soil. Shade during the hottest part of the 

 day, until they have taken hold of the ground. 



Pelargoniums. Those who are desirous of having " stocky" 

 plants must cut their specimens down boldly. Let the plants become 

 dry before using the knife, the wounds will heal the sooner; and when 

 they are so healed, moisten, and keep them close, in order to induce 

 the eyes to break vigorously. When the shoots are about an inch 

 long, withhold water till dry, and then clear away every portion of 

 the soil about the roots, which should be cut off with a sharp knife 

 to within two or three inches, leaving the fibrous parts. Repot them 

 into some open soil with plenty of drainage, and replace them in a 

 close situation, or plunge them in gentle bottom-heat until they have 



