168 TIIK FLORIST. 



thrown out their fresh roots, when air may be freely given them. 

 When cutting down, select cuttings from those parts which have 

 bloomed to your satisfaction. It is well to cut away any portion of 

 a plant that brings sportive or deformed flowers. 



Pinks. Put out the young rooted pipings as soon as they are 

 hardened off; they succeed much better when j)lauted while the fibres 

 are young. Prepare beds to receive them ; the soil should be well 

 jmlverised, in order that their tender roots may the more easily pene- 

 trate it. If a little half-rotted manure be added^ and worked in 

 with the surface-soil, it will greatly facilitate the growth. If the 

 weather be dry, water the soil before beginning to plant. Continue 

 to take cuttings till a sufficient number is obtained to fill the beds, 

 and a few extra pairs to provide against accidents. 



Polyanthuses may be parted at the end of the month, if not 

 done in May last. Be sure to plant them deep enough, so that the 

 new fibres may at once enter the soil, instead of being exposed to the 

 ravages of the slugs, &c. In dry weather these troublesome insects 

 take shelter beneath the foliage of the Polyanthus, and, if not looked 

 after, will not only devour the young roots, but also eat holes in the 

 stem of the plants. Earthing up, and frequent stirrings of the sur- 

 face in hot weather, will destroy numbers, and prevent much mischief. 



PvANUNCULUSEs. Gather seed, when ripe, on a dry day. Take 

 up the roots as they ripen, not all at once. Beds containing valuable 

 sorts should be kept dry, to prevent a second growth, which would 

 injure, and in some cases destroy, the vitality of the tubers, though 

 they may be sound in appearance when stored. Dry the tubers in 

 an airy, shady place, and store them in a room to which neither 

 mildew nor mice have access. Seedlings should be taken up, and 

 the soil sifted, to detect small roots. They may be kept safely in 

 diy sand till the return of the planting season. 



Roses. Nothing is to be done but to enjoy their beauty, and to 

 prepare for the blooming of the perpetual varieties. Remove all dead 

 flowers, and place those in pots in trenches on bricks. 



Seedling Petunias by this time should be in separate pots, and 

 the greater number in flower or shewing bud. Pay attention to the 

 small and Aveakly plants ; encourage their growth, that they may 

 blossom this season. Look over them daily, select the promising, 

 and, if necessary, shift them into larger sized-pots. When the blooms 

 are expanded, shade them from the sun in the middle of the day. 

 Moderate supplies of water should be regularly given. 



Tulips. The bulbs will now be thoroughly ripe, and should be 

 taken up forthwith. Let all the offsets remain attached to the parent 

 bulb until they are well dried. The drawers should not be put into 

 the cabinet immediately the bulbs are taken up ; let them be placed 

 in a cool, shady situation out of doors for some days ; the bulbs will 

 thus become gradually dry and firm, and will not be so liable to 

 shrivel as when they are shut up in the cabinet too soon. Com- 

 mence removing, making alterations, improvements, and additions 

 now, while the circumstances are fresh on the memory, as well as 

 noted down in the Tulip-book. 



