198 THE FLORIST. 



moisture till the end of the month, when the supply may be gra- 

 dually increased, as the plants begin to shew signs of growth. 

 Avoid as much as possible drenching rains ; they are very in- 

 jurious to Auriculas at this season, more particularly if sultry 

 weather follow. Slightly move the surface of the soil now and 

 then; it will be of great service. Pick off decayed foliage as soon 

 as fit. Clear the weeds away while young ; they should not be 

 suffered to root deeply into the compost, for they exhaust the 

 soil, and disturb the fibres of the plants when drawn. The green 

 fly must be kept under ; brush them off as soon as you find they 

 make their appearance, and if found in the folds of the hearts of 

 the plants, sprinkle a little fine silver-sand among the pests ; it 

 will set them in motion, when they may be more easily blown 

 out. Some time during this month prepare a little compost 

 for potting : you may find a few plants that will require shifting 

 into larger- sized pots ; and if the stock was not repotted in the 

 month of May, provide enough for the whole, that it may be 

 ready for the beginning of August. 



Peckham. J. T. Neville. 



Calceolarias. — Do not let them overbloom themselves to the de- 

 struction of the plants ; but as soon as the flowers begin to fade, 

 cut down preparatory to re-potting. 



Sudbury, Derbyshire. W. H. Holmes. 



Carnations and Picotees. — These flowers will now absorb the 

 attention of the florist. The stock here promises a fine bloom, 

 the buds of which are fast swelling. The bloom generally will be 

 late this season. We should say from the 20th to the 30th of 

 this month would be the best time for an exhibition of these 

 flowers to take place. Weak liquid manure may be used occa- 

 sionally, if a dry time. Protect the forward buds (as soon as 

 they shew colour) with small glasses. 



Royal Nursery, Slough. C Turner. 



Cinerarias. — Sow seed now for new varieties ; if properly attended 

 . to, they will make fine plants by autumn, and will flower all 

 winter. Sow in pots or pans well drained, and in mould of light 

 texture ; cover the seed very slightly ; keep it constantly moist 

 and in the shade until it is well above ground. As soon as 

 the plants have formed the rough leaf, let them be pricked off 

 into store-pots for a little while. Where the old plants begin to 

 throw up suckers, a few of them may also be potted for an early 

 stock. A. Kendall. 



Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Stoke Newington. 



Dahlias. — Not much time will be required for Dahlias in this month. 

 The principal things to attend to are, to keep them well watered, 

 which should be done at night, with soft water, over the foliage, 

 and to look well after insects : earwigs eat the young foliage as 



