192 THE FLORIST. 



Fuchsias. This brilliant-, charming genus will now be rapidly- 

 developing its floral beauties ; to heighten the effect, and add to the 

 graceful tout ensemble, arrange and su])port all straggling growths in 

 as neat and inconspicuous a manner as possible, so that the Howering- 

 shoots shall be regularly disposed over the whole plant, or as nearly 

 so as circumstances will permit. To display fully the grace and 

 elegance of this flower, prolong the bloom, and prevent its getting 

 bruised, care should be taken in tying out, to cause each particular 

 flower to hang indei)endently of its neighbour ; a little practice will 

 soon effect this. Nothing more than the usual every day's routine 

 of watching is necessary during the season of growth. 



Pklaugoniums. The plants which were cut down last month 

 will have broken sufficiently at the eyes to be shaken out and dis- 

 rooted ; do not forget to place them in gentle bottom-heat, or in a 

 close frame, till they have again rooted out to the sides of the pots, 

 when they may have abundance of air night and day, sheltering 

 them from heavy rains, and keeping them clear of green-fly. Cut- 

 tings that were taken early and struck should be shifted on, and 

 stopped when you can ensure three or four breaking-eyes, as this is 

 the time to lay the foundation for stocky plants for next season. Seed 

 as it ripens should now be sow^n in pans or pots in open soil, and just 

 covered. Water, when required, should be given through a fine rose ; 

 cover with a sheet of writing-paper in very bright sunny weather. 



Pinks. Continue to put out the rooted pipings, and prepare the 

 beds for the next season's bloomers ; add plenty of manure, and fre- 

 quently turn the soil over, that the former may become w^ell incorpo- 

 rated with the latter, and the whole thoroughly sweetened, and fit 

 for use. Pipings may still be taken. 



Tulips. Every bulb should now be examined, the loose dry 

 skins removed, and the offsets large enough to bloom next year 

 separated ; but the small ones had better remain attached to the 

 parent bulb. All who contemplate making alterations in the ar- 

 rangements and additions to the quantity and quality of the Tuhp- 

 bed, whether by purchase or exchange, should do it at once. Let 

 each bulb be placed in the boxes as it is intended to bloom next 

 season, and then transcribe the name in the Tulip-book for 1852. 

 The advantage arising from this method is, that the bulbs are in 

 order for planting at the right time ; when this is done, the practical 

 operations of the Tulip-grower may be considered suspended until 

 the time arrives for making preparations for planting ; the principal 

 attention meanwhile required being an occasional looking over the 

 boxes and drawers, in order to ascertain that all is right. See that 

 the tops of the bulbs are free from aphis or green-lly, for in some 

 seasons they are very numerous, completely covering the point of the 

 bulb. If any small speck of rust or canker be visible, let it be care- 

 fully removed with a sharp penknife. Towards the end of the 

 month, or beginning of next, a bed may be prepared for offsets. 



