160 THE FLORIST. 



must be carefully excluded from the house; muslin or thin garden 

 netting may be used for this purpose at the openings. This, with careful 

 and judicious shading and watering, prolong the bloom to a considerable 

 time. No plant in fact lasts longer in flower than the Pelargonium if 

 " well done." 



Pinery. — Attend carefully to the bottom heat, and see it does not 

 fluctuate. Plants in fruit will now require liberal supplies of water, 

 and occasionally some liquid manure. Give air according to the state 

 of the weather; always close up early in the afternoon, and syringe well 

 all fruit done flowering overhead ; sprinkle paths well with water ; keep 

 up a moist atmosphere. The young plants will now be beginning to 

 grow freely, and will require more air and water. Syringe daily. 

 Towards the end of the month many of them, if not all, will require 

 shifting ; and at this season of the year strong well-rooted plants should 

 have a liberal shift. 



Pinks. — If dry weather continues, water freely, using weak liquid 

 manure about twice a week. The shoots should be thinned if large 

 flowers are required for exhibition, leaving a good number to bloom on 

 such kinds as Great Britain, Narboro Buck, Duke of Devonshire, and 

 other full kinds. Thin flowers, such as Criterion and Lola Montes, 

 should not be allowed to carry more than two blooms. 



Pleasure Grounds. — Roll and mow the Grass every ten days or a 

 fortnight ; clean and roll walks. Attend to newly-planted trees and 

 shrubs. If very bright weather prevails, valuable specimens recently 

 planted should be shaded, to check evaporation ; they should also be 

 well watered, and should be syringed night and morning until they are 

 considered safe. 



Roses. — In reply to inquiries as to the reason of our advocating late 

 pruning, or rather shortening the branches, it is principally to guard as 

 much as possible against the destruction by weather or accident of the 

 outer bud, to which we have so frequently directed the shoots to be cut 

 back. The green-fly and rose-maggot will soon commence their 

 destructive work, and we again urge, as we have in former Calendars, to 

 attack the enemy ere they have time to entrench themselves, or they 

 will sap most effectually all hopes of an early bloom. Buds that 

 are pushing in a direction that will interfere with the shape of the 

 plants, or are growing too thickly in the centre, should be removed. 



Stove. — Shift all growing plants that stand in need of it. Tie out 

 and stop plants intended for specimens. Water freely and syringe 

 dailv. Give air plentifully in fine weather, but guard against dry 

 cutting winds. Use every means to keep down insects, and attend to 

 the training of climbers. 



Strawberries. — If the early-forced plants, instead of being thrown 

 away, are planted in a south border, and well watered for a time, they 

 will produce a good crop in September next. 



Tulips. — On a mild day water between the plants, so as not to wet 

 the foliage ; the morning is the best time. Shade with care, to protect 

 ' the expanding bloom without drawing the plants. 



