88 THE FLORIST. 



well. Cover with a flat sheet of glass, or a hand-light, and be 

 sure to keep the soil moist. 



Peckham, Surrey. J. T. Neville. 



Polyanthuses are not so liable to injury by rain as Auriculas; let 

 them have showers more frequent, until the pips begin to expand. 

 Shelter and protect as for Auriculas. Due attention to watering 

 must be observed ; the soil should be well moistened. 



Polyanthuses in Borders. — Earth up, if not already done, and 

 continue the search for insects, as recommended in last Number. 

 Frequent stirrings of the surface -soil will prove advantageous to 

 the plants, and greatly assist in the destruction of insects, parti- 

 cularly if practised in dry weather. 



Seedlings. — Carefully mark all that possess any claim to per- 

 fection, either as show or seeding varieties, and discard at once 

 all of inferior stamp. By this precaution you will improve the 

 strain, and render your future labours more certain. 



Peckham, Surrey. J. T. Neville. 



Ranunculuses. — If any roots are out of ground, plant them imme- 

 diately. The roots planted in the middle of last month will have 

 absorbed a great amount of moisture, and have trebled their ori- 

 ginal bulk. In this swelling process some of the tubers will rise 

 to the "surface, — these should be placed lower and firmer in the 

 soil. Those also that are disturbed by worms will require the 

 same attention. The texture of light soils may be improved, 

 during the dry winds usual to this month, by pressure on the 

 surface with the back of the spade. This should never be done 

 later than three weeks after planting. 



Wallingford. C. Tyso. 



Roses in Pots. — Give abundance of air when the weather is favour- 

 able. If plants are required for exhibition, or a display in June, 

 they should be pruned about the second week of this month. 



J. Dobson. 



Tulips. — The mildness of the present season has rendered Tulips 

 unusually forward, consequently the greater is the liability of 

 their receiving damage if a sharp frost should occur : if a fine 

 and perfect bloom be wished for, a vigilant attention to secure 

 them from the least frost should now be bestowed — let the sur- 

 face of the bed be stirred, and pull up all weeds immediately they 

 appear ; examine minutely the whole bed, and see that no water 

 is retained inside the foliage. If such be the case, gently sepa- 

 rate the leaves with the hand, and the water will drain out. The 

 cause of Tulips withering half way down the stem, just before 

 they bloom, no doubt, in many cases, arises from water remaining 

 for some time within the foliage, and becoming frozen. Of all 

 flowers, the Tulip will more especially repay every little atten- 

 tion given it, by a superior display of fine and perfect blooms. 

 Wycombe. J. Hunt. 



