6-4 THE FLORIST. 



Pleasure Ground and Shruuberi/. — Rather than lose a season, we 

 woull still plant when the weather is favourable ; but the Sijoner such 

 work is brouglit to a close the better. Secure newly plantei trees from 

 the effects of wind. In mild weather p':oceed with cutting and pruning 

 shrubs and digging borders. 



IStravcbemes. — Give plants in flower all the air possible, and be 

 careiul in watering them; do not give them too much, nor let them 

 suffer for want of it. When the fruit is set, pinch off all the small 

 ones, and remove the plants to a shelf where they can be kept pretty 

 close, and where they will have plenty of light. Water frequently with 

 liquid manure, but cease as soon as they begin to change colour ; then 

 keep them rather dry, and give more air : by these means you will 

 secure the three principal points of a good Strawberry — sizi;, colour, 

 and, last but not least, flavour. Introduce into heat, regularly every 

 Ibrtnight, a fresh s'lpply of plants. Keep a keer» look-out for green-fly, 

 and fumigate as soon as you perceive any. 



Stoce. — Water sparingly until the plants are potted. Cut back 

 creepers and other plants not done before. Keep a moderate tempe- 

 rature, increasing towards the end of the month. Pot Amaryllis, 

 Achimenes, Gesneras, Gloriosa, &c. Start some Gloxinias. Begonias 

 are "■ favourite tribe of plants ; most of the kinds will be growing : 

 have a general examination of the entire stock, and pot all plants that 

 require it. 



Tulips. — These are appearing above the soil. They will take no 

 harm if tolerably dry. If severe frost sets in after wet they should be 

 protected by a slight covering. If the bed is well drained there is not 

 nmch to fear from cold. 



Verbenas. — Strong healthy cuttings put in now will make the best 

 plants, either for bedding out or pot culture. 



Viner//. — Thin the berries in the early houses as soon after they are 

 set as possible. Disbud Vines that are breaking. Syringe two or three 

 times daily Vines just commenced. IMaintain a tolerably moist atmo- 

 sphere in all except where the Vines are in flower. II you would 

 avoid " rust,'' " shaking." id (/eniis ornne, give a httle air ar the top of 

 the iiouses early in the morning ; this lets out heated moisture, which, 

 when co.ifined and the sun comts on the houses, causes serious injury 

 to the young berii s. Do not admit much air through the iivint venti- 

 lators at this early season. Avoid a high tem[)erature at nights, but 

 alwavs get the flt!e> or pipes pretty hot early in the mornings ; but let 

 the fires get low before tl.e sun gets very powerful. When the pipes 

 are hot in the mrrmngs, you can always with safety give more or less 

 air according to the weather. We never have a badly coloured buncli 

 of Grapes, which we attribute, in great measure, to our giving air 

 early \\\ the mornings, and properly attending to it at all other times. 

 Shut up early in the afterno! ns, and spinkle the paths at the same time 

 with tepid water, and not cold water, as is too frequently done. In 

 tving down the young shoots, do not attempt to tie them .0 tluir proper 

 ]"lace at once~if you do many of them will break off"; bett».r go over 

 them two or three times, and tie them each time as close as you can 

 without any danger of breaking them. 



