1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 217 



plants, should be put in their permanent quarters. Planting is generally 

 commenced from the 20th to the end of the month. The ground 

 should break freely with the trowel while planting is going on, and 

 the soil be pressed gently to the roots. A watering should be given 

 afterwards if the ground is very dry, and dry soil drawn over it will 

 prevent evaporation ; but if watering has to be repeated, a good soaking 

 all over should be given. Annuals for late blooming should now be 

 sown, and those up thinned to 3 or 4 inches apart. Let the hoe be 

 freely used among Roses, and if the soil is light and the weather dry give 

 good soakings of water. Cow-dung water, reduced by using 1 gallon to 

 6 of soft water, will be found a safe stimulant. Look after suckers, 

 which soon take the lead on weakly-growing kinds. They should be cut 

 off close to the stock. Tulips may be kept from heavy rains — canvass 

 coverings stretched on wooden frames answer well — if fine flowers are 

 valued by growers of these bulbs. Stake and tie up Pinks and Carna- 

 tions when they are ready ; wind soon snaps the flower-stems when 

 they are tall. Give attention to plants under glass by shifting them as 

 the roots come to the sides of the pots. See that drainage is kept 

 clear, and that no w^eeds or greenness appear on the surface of the pots. 

 Frequent stirring keeps the soil healthy. Water may now be given in 

 the after-part of the day to everything except plants lately taken from 

 heat to cold. A stock of Calceolarias, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Helio- 

 tropes, (fee, may be potted for window-gardening or for flowering in 

 greenhouses. Some of the free-growing Verbenas have a fine appear- 

 ance growing in pots or baskets. If the leading shoots are trained 

 out flat on circular wire, and the side-shoots allowed to grow upright, 

 they are superior to any Achimenes extant, and no unsightly stakes 

 are seen. Windows can be kept gay with Stocks, Asters, Mignon- 

 ette, Geraniums, Nasturtiums, &c. Great attention with water is 

 necessary. We lately saw a window in Edinburgh gay with Tulips, 

 Narcissus, Isolepis gracilis, common Ferns, Saxifragas, &c. Shells of 

 cocoa-nuts, baskets, pieces of rock, &c., were used for growing them 

 in with excellent eff'ect. Glass cases were placed in front of the win- 

 dows, divided into apartments to suit the various kinds of plants. 

 One great fault was that air could not be given to the dwelling except 

 by passing through the plants. Though the fragrance was pleasant, 

 we are not of opinion that it was conducive to health. 



M. T. 



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