THE FLORIST. 151 



Fuchsias are now in vigorous active growth, and require daily 

 looking to, not only to administer the necessary supply of water, 

 but to give the final shift, as the roots make their appearance 

 around the surface of the ball (see last month's Florist, p. 108). 

 Should the plants appear drawn, from too close confinement, raise 

 them on inverted flower-pots, or some such contrivance, to within 

 a few inches of the glass; admit air liberally during the day, 

 avoiding, however, the contact of a direct current of cold air, 

 which is apt to turn the foliage rusty. Towards the end of the 

 month, remove to an ordinary greenhouse, and treat accordingly. 

 Seedling plants should now be sufficiently forward to need their 

 final shift ; and in a few days after may follow the old plants to 

 a cool house. W. H. Story. 



Pansies. — The seed-beds will now require considerable attention, 

 weeding out those of bad shape, and marking any that may pro- 

 mise well. The next four weeks will comprise the height of the 

 Pansy bloom, and we hope the season will be such as will repay 

 the trouble of growing them. Put in as many cuttings as can 

 be procured during this month. Happy is he who shall find him- 

 self well furnished with a stock of well-established young plants 

 for autumn blooming- ! 



Royal Nursery, Slough. C. Turner. 



Pelargoniums.— The plants that have been prepared and treated as 

 directed for this month's flowering will soon be gay, and the 

 flowers will be acquiring their true character, as the first bloom 

 are apt to come small. The netting (if not previously done) 

 must be put up to exclude the bees ; for if they are allowed access 

 to the house, they fertilise the flower, and it soon falls. In 

 Vol. I. p. 119,. of The Florist, will be seen a drawing of the kind 

 of netting we use. I beg also to say, in answer to numerous 

 inquiries, that our old and new varieties will be in full bloom from 

 the second week in this month till the end of June, and will be 

 open for inspection every day, Sundays excepted. 



Worton Cottage, Isleworth. J. Dobson. 



Pinks. — The month of May is a growing time with the Pink. If the 

 season should prove a dry one, take care that they have a plen- 

 tiful supply of water. In dry, sandy soils, if a good mulching 

 of cow- manure be given, it will prove of great service in keepin? 

 the roots cool and moist. Hoe the surface now and then, thai; 

 the atmosphere may penetrate to the fibres. If fine blooms are 

 required for exhibition, the flower-stems must be reduced in 

 number, which will throw strength into the remainder, and 

 thereby increase the size of the blossoms. The reduction must 

 be regulated according to the strength and habit of the plant. 

 Sorts that produce large full flowers should be thinned but spar- 

 ingly, if at all ; while the weaker kinds, that produce small 

 flowers and but few petals, may be reduced to one stem only, 

 or two, if the plants are unusually strong. Pinks intended for 

 seeding require different treatment. Every bud and every stem 

 should remain on the plants, to insure a good crop ; for by 



