182 



THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



the passing season will teach us the neccs- j 

 sity of applying water to the roots of our | 

 plants as soon as they begin to break into 

 growth. It will very often happen that 

 throughout the month of May and the , 

 early part of June, a dry, cold atmosphere 

 will prevail, with a lack of sufficient rain, 

 and, with all our watering, we shall not be 

 able to imitate the cool, moist atmosphere 

 of May and June of this year, which has 

 unquestionably had a very large share in 

 inducing the extraordinary growth and 

 blossom of the present season. In few 

 words, let deep trenching, heavy manuring, 

 and an early and persistent application of 

 the watering-pot be used, and 1 doubt not 

 but that a satisfactory bloom will inva- 

 riably ensue. 



A case in point may not be out of 

 place here. When I was under-gardener, 

 some twenty-six years since, in the garden 

 where I served in that capacity was a low 



corner, which always lay under water in 

 the winter season, so that it could not be 

 dug in the usual shrubbery digging. In 

 this corner, within a belt of tail laurels 

 and other evergreen shrubs, were planted 

 a few common roses, consisting of common 

 China, old cabbage, and the old Quaitre 

 Saisons rose, and we invariably remarked, 

 that we had the finest growth and the 

 finest blooms here. The soil was a stiff 

 loam, almost clay, and the atmosphere of 

 the nook, o\iing to the surrounding belt 

 of tall evergreens, was always compara- 

 tively still and moist. A friend of mine, 

 who was very fond of the red China rose, 

 used to water every day from the time 

 they began to grow, throughout the sea- 

 son, the result was extraordinary develop- 

 ment both of growth and bloom. A fa- 

 vourite dose for hi3 roses was good strong 

 soapsuds. W. Chittt. 



Stamford Hill, 



CITEKO GUANO. 



I think the preposterous price (small 

 quantities are sold at one shilling for the 

 tin of four pounds) prevents it coming 

 into more general use for small gardens. 

 A tin does not go far, but one shilling for 

 four pounds is the price of genuine " Peru- 

 vian," while the Cuero is eight shillings 

 and sixpence per ewt. This is rather too 



great a stretch for taking only a small 

 quantity. The patentees would find their 

 account, in making it up iuto seven or 

 fourteen-pound bags, at a slight advance 

 on the price per cwt. Perhaps a hint in 

 the right quarter might prevail. 



HOESA. 



KEMIKDEKS FOB AUGUST. 



Auriculas to be repotted, in rich, well- 

 mellowed soil, and kept rather close till 

 they make fresh growth, then give air 

 gradually. 



Azaleas to be set out in a shady place 

 to ripen their wood, and keep them sup- 

 plied with water. This is a good time to 

 train out plants for exhibition next year. 

 Bedding plants to be struck in quan- 

 tities. Geraniums do best in the full sun 

 in the open border. Verbenas may be 

 struck by pegging down the joints over 

 tl umb-pots. (See p. 127 of June number 

 oI'Plohal Would.) Lobelia speciosaneed 

 not be struck unless it is required in very 

 large quantities, and to be in flower 

 early next year. For ordinary work, sow 

 seed in January or early in February. 

 The splendid beds of Lobelia at the 

 Crystal Palace are partly from cuttings 

 and partly from seeds. 



Conservatory to be kept gay by in- 

 troducing a few specimen plants in good 



positions. Keep climbers regularly trim- 

 med, and encourage the ripening of the 

 wood of all hard-wooded plants, to insure 

 plenty of bloom next season. 



Cinerarias to be potted off from stock 

 suckers, and offsets ; prick off seedlings : 

 suckers not rooted to be put in as cuttings 

 round the sides of pots, where they will 

 make roots in a week. Beware of slugs 

 and woodlice, which are tremendously 

 fond of the young plants. 



Chrysanthemums to be kept in order 

 by tying out. It is too late to stop 

 plants for out-door blooming. 



Dahlias are only second-rate this sea- 

 son, and much injured by the heavy rains. 

 Thin the blooms, and tie out the growth 

 regularly, or they will spread about, and 

 get snapped with the wind. Set traps 

 for earwigs, and use the sulphur-duster if 

 there is any appearance of mildew. 



Fuchsias struck now will make nice 

 plants to bloom early next season. To 



