256 THE FLORIST. 



will most likely bring on the spot, and cause the plants to look 

 unhealthy through the winter. The plants having but little 

 3*oung wood to support, they require little water to keep them 

 in good health. It will be well this month to get the different 

 soils into an open shed, ready for repotting at the final shift for 

 the year. This soil should not be wet when used — only moist, 

 not dry. Stop back young plants that have been struck this 

 season, so as to leave about three or four eyes to break from ; 

 this will cause them to make bushy plants. Seedlings should 

 be shifted from the seed-pans into small pots as soon as they get 

 four leaves ; water with a fine rose, and shade for a few days. 



John Dobson. 



Pinks. — Look over the beds, and see that the young plants are not 

 being overgrown with weeds. Hoe between the rows, and give 

 water if necessary. Pinks have flowered late this season, and with 

 most persons the young plants are late also ; but it is now time 

 the beds were ready ; and, as a reminder will not be ill timed, 

 we recommend examining the stock to see what sorts (whether 

 old or new varieties) are wanting, and at once arrange for them, 

 for early application generally secures strong plants. For parti- 

 culars in planting, see No. VIII. pp. 231, 2. 



Peckkam. J. T. Neville. 



Polyanthuses. — Pick off all the dead leaves, and hoe the surface 

 between the plants ; taking care to well earth-up the stems at 

 the same time, and as much as possible secure them from the at- 

 tacks of slugs. The weather has been particularly favourable for 

 the destruction of this pest; and if the surface- soil in the beds 

 has been stirred occasionally during the hot dry weather, but 

 few can have escaped w r ith life. Seedlings shewing flower this 

 month should be examined, and a mark placed on the promising 

 and good flowers. Polyanthuses in pots should be treated after 

 the manner of the Auriculas. 



Peckham. J. T. Neville. 



Pansies. — Plant out for spring-blooming, a good distance apart, if 

 plants are in good health ; and pot up into small sizes such plants 

 as are intended for blooming in pots next spring. Plant out 

 seedlings ; and continue to propagate by putting in cuttings and 

 dividing the root. 



Slougk. C. Turner. 



Ranunculuses. — Preparations should now be made for next spring. 

 Manures can be mixed, composts turned, beds excavated, much 

 better now than in February : the soil will work now in better 

 condition, and have time to settle. The first sowing of seed 

 may be made in boxes of any portable size, and six inches deep. 

 Place them under glass, as a protection from heavy rains, but not 

 in a close frame. As the seed should not be more than a six- 

 teenth of an inch deep, regard must be had to supplying an even 

 amount of moisture : excess of either drought or rain is ruinous. 

 Wallingford. Carey Tyso. 



