200 THE FLORIST. 



new fibres may at once enter the soil, instead of being exposed 

 to the ravages of slugs, &c. In dry weather these troublesome 

 insects take shelter beneath the foliage of the Polyanthus ; and 

 if not looked after, will not only devour the young roots, but also 

 eat holes into the stems of the plants. Earthing up, and fre- 

 quent stirrings of the surface in hot weather, will destroy num- 

 bers, and prevent much mischief. 



Peckkam. J. T. Neville. 



Ranunculuses. — Regard must be had to the ripened pericarps ; — 

 cut them when brown and on a dry day, to secure from mildew. 

 Take up the roots as they ripen, — not all at once. Beds con- 

 taining valuable sorts should be kept dry, to prevent a second 

 growth, which would injure, and in some cases destroy the 

 vitality of the tubers, though they may be sound in appearance 

 when stored. Dry the tubers in an airy, shady place, and store 

 them in a room to which neither mildew nor mice have access. 

 Seedlings should be taken up, and the soil sifted, to detect small 

 roots. They may be kept safely in dry sand till the return of 

 the planting season. 



Wallingford. Carey Tyso. 



Seedling Petunias. — By this time all the seedlings should be in 

 separate pots, and the greater number in flower or shewing bud. 

 Pay attention to the small and weakly plants ; encourage their 

 growth, that they may blossom this season. Look over them 

 daily, select the promising, and, if necessary, shift them into 

 larger-sized pots. When the blooms are expanded, shade them 

 from the sun in the middle of the day. Moderate supplies of 

 water should be regularly given. 



New Cross. W. Young. 



Tulips. — The bulbs will now be thoroughly ripe, and should be 

 taken up forthwith : see directions last month. Let all the off- 

 sets remain attached to the parent bulb until they are well dried. 

 The drawers should not be put in the cabinet immediately the 

 bulbs are taken up ; let them be placed in a cool, shady situation 

 out of doors for some days ; the bulbs will thus become gradually 

 dry and firm, and will not be so liable to shrivel as when they 

 are shut up in the cabinet too soon. Commence removing, mak- 

 ing alterations, improvements, and additions now, while the cir- 

 cumstances are fresh on the memory, as well as noted down in 

 the Tulip-book. 



Wycombe. J. Hunt. 



