172 THE FLORIST. 



liberal supply of water as long as the plants are growing freely, 

 giving preference at all times to moderate showers, that do not 

 dash the earth about and disfigure the foliage. Pick off decayed 

 leaves, and slightly stir the surface of the soil : it is important 

 to keep the surface open. Destroy destructive insects, the small 

 green caterpillar, &c. The seed will perfect itself this month ; 

 gather the pods as they ripen, and keep them in a dry and airy 

 situation, in a paper or linen-bag, adding a small piece of camphor, 

 to preserve the seeds from the attacks of insects. By the last 

 week in this month the plants will not require so much water ; 

 but a moderate supply must be given. About this time the 

 common aphis becomes both numerous and injurious, particularly 

 among the unhealthy part of the stock ; brush or blow them off 

 at every opportunity. 



Seedlings. — Occasionally stir the surface of the soil between 

 the young plants, and keep them moderately watered. 



Peckham. J. T. Neville. 



Calceolarias. — We will give you all this month to enjoy the beauty 

 of your flowers ; only remember to cross those varieties you wish 

 to save seed from. W. H. Holmes. 



Carnations and Picotees. — Keep them securely tied, as they pro- 

 gress ; it will now be time to top-dress the pots or beds with a 

 mixture consisting of equal parts of very rotten manure and loamy 

 soil. Green-fly should be carefully brushed from the points of 

 the shoots as often as it appears ; the old foliage, as it decays, 

 should be cut off; and stop all shoots throwing blooms beside the 

 leading shoots. The number of buds to be left on the blooming- 

 stalk depends on the variety, w T hether a full flower or a thin one, 

 and the purposes for which the blooms are wanted ; — if for exhi- 

 bition, they must be of good size, and the plants should be dis- 

 budded accordingly. The circular cards advertised by Mr. Meek 

 in last Number are the best we have seen for blooming them on. 

 Royal Nursery, Slough. C. Turner. 



Cinerarias. — Plants going out of flower should not receive too 

 much water ; you should rather endeavour to bring them gra- 

 dually to a comparative state of rest. Watch those that are 

 seeding, and carefully preserve the seed in a dry place. Plants 

 still in full flower will want as much care and water as ever. 

 Q. Elizabeth's Walk, Stoke Newington. A. Kendall. 



Dahlias. — The plants by this time will be strong, and well har- 

 dened ; the ground will also be in a good state to receive them, 

 if the recommendations given in The Florist have been attended 

 to ; therefore plant out on the first fine quiet day, and secure the 

 plants to strong stakes at once : placing some fine rich soil about 

 their roots will help them in starting. It is important to prevent 

 slugs or snails from injuring them at first. Some attention should 

 be paid to arrangement ; it is objectionable to see tall plants near 

 the outside, and dwarf ones in the centre : a good distribution of 

 colours also greatly improves the general effect. 



Royal Nursery, Slough. C. Turner. 



