1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 311 



other kind of manure-water will help ready growers. We emptied a 

 cesspool lately in which were the drainings from the stable-yard, and 

 applied the thinnest part of the liquid to a long border of new Roses. 

 To allow it to pass easily into the soil, two men made drills (as for 

 Pease) all through the border, keeping clear of the roots ; the other men 

 poured it into the drills, and when all was done the dry earth was 

 levelled in to prevent evaporation, and now the border is thoroughly 

 moist and the Roses growing rapidly. The remaining portion of the 

 liquid was thrown into Celery-ridges among the manure, which was 

 not very good, and the whole dug in. Suckers must be cut off clean 

 as soon as they appear, and all dead flowers should be picked off. 

 Water blooming plants in borders thoroughly when they require it, 

 and stir with the hoe after the surface becomes dry. Regulate the 

 growths of plants, to keep borders gay and neat. All decaying flowers 

 and leaves should be cut off, and no weeds allowed to appear. Let 

 trained Roses and other climbers be tied in their places to prevent 

 breakage by wind. Dandelions and other weeds should not be allowed 

 to seed in lawns ; they should be carefully taken out, and a little salt 

 placed in the holes to prevent any of the roots left from growing. 

 All the usual " keeping " — such as clipping of grass-edgings, mowing, 

 rolling, &c. — should be kept up diligently, now that the ornamental 

 grounds are becoming gay. Water Violets, and let Dahlias and Holly- 

 hocks have plenty of manure-water. Stake them securely, and cut off 

 any shoots which are crowding the plants. Propagate Pansies from 

 side shoots ; the younger the cuttings the finer will be the plants. 

 Propagate Pinks by cuttings, and layer Carnations and Picotees. 

 For Pinks first prepare beds of sandy light soil, in which the pipings 

 are placed, thoroughly watered, and hand-lights placed over them. 

 When making pipings, take the shoots from round the bottoms of the 

 stems. They should be about 2 inches long, and the lower leaves 

 stripped off is all the preparation they require. They should be made 

 firm when planted in the light rich soil. If shaded from sun, so much 

 the better ; an old mat or any such material will answer if the posi- 

 tion is exposed to sun. As the plants begin to show growth, begin to 

 give air, and increase it gradually till they are all rooted. The shoots 

 of Carnations and Picotees are sometimes propagated like Pinks, but 

 with a little bottom-heat. The general way is to take a little of the 

 soil away all round the plant and replace it with light sandy earth, 

 raising it above the level of the surrounding soil. Cut the leaves all off 

 the shoots, only leaving the upper ones (three or four). On the bottom 

 side of the stem, about 3 inches from the top, cut a slit (sloping up- 

 wards) half through the shoot, passing the knife through the joint, 

 doing this with care, not to sever the stem. Cut off the piece below the 



