no 



THE FLORIST. 



Pink Seed. — It is not too late to sow Pink seed, but the 

 sooner done, the stronger the plants will be. The snail, the slug, 

 and the woodlouse are voracious devourers of young pinks. The 

 former two will sweep off a whole crop in one night. The latter, 

 though not so great a devourer, by its industry will cut down 

 the plants by degrees till the pan is cleared. Their attack is 

 on a small portion of the stem close to the surface. The best 

 protection against these enemies is, to fix the pans over water, 

 and prevent their approach. 



Peckham. J. T. Neville. 



Polyanthuses. — The treatment of Polyanthuses in pots from the 

 beginning of the month, and during the time of their flowering, 

 will be the same as given for Auriculas, with one exception, viz. 

 they will require a more liberal supply of water. A little extra 

 attention must be given to the named flowers in beds, in order 

 to preserve the blooms from mischievous insects. Slugs are very 

 fond of the blossoms, and while there is one in the neighbour- 

 hood, it will be sure to attack the Polyanthus. Do all you can 

 to exterminate these pests. Hoe the surface of the soil between 

 the plants as often as you find it cased or cemented by washing 

 rains, and keep the plants clear of weeds. The seed-beds will 

 now daily present you with new faces ; look over them often, 

 and mark the perfect and promising sorts. Pin -eyed flowers 

 are not all unworthy of preservation. When the colours, the 

 form, and the lacing are of first-rate character, they should be 

 saved as seeders : much may be expected from them, if ferti- 

 lised by pollen collected from superior and perfect varieties. In 

 fact, this class offers a better opportunity of carrying out the 

 science of hybridising than that of the thrum-eyed, and perhaps 

 would be attended with greater success if persevered in. 



Peckham. J. T. Neville. 



Ranunculuses. — The surface of the beds will require a little atten- 

 tion. Cracks occasioned by dry winds must be stopped, and 

 the soil pressed carefully and closely round the collar of the 

 plants as soon as the leaves are safely through the soil. If the 

 soil runs or cakes, it should be scratched over with a small fork 

 (a table-fork will answer the purpose), and about three quarters 

 of an inch of fine sand added as a top-dressing. Protect choice 

 beds from late frosts. Seedlings must be supplied with water 

 regularly, and shaded : one dry day without protection is sufficient 

 to ruin a spring- sown crop. A little rich fine mould should 

 be sprinkled over the young plants as a top-dressing. 



Wallingford. Carey Tyso. 



Roses in Pots. — Keep a sharp look-out upon young shoots as they 

 start from last month's pruning, for the maggot will be busy at 

 work before the shoot is unfolded. Water once a week with 

 liquid manure. 



Worton Cottage. J. Dobson. 



