JULY. 223 



Dahlias. — These must be coaxed to grow as fast as possible, to be in 

 time for the early exhibitions of this flower. If dry weather, watering 

 overhead early in the evening, stirring the soil about the plants, keeping 

 down insects, and securely tying the plants, are the ordinary methods 

 adopted to secure this end. If slugs are troublesome, fresh lime strewed 

 about the soil as well as over the plants, when they are out, either late 

 in the evening or early in the morning, will be effectual, if followed up 

 for a short tune. If earwigs destroy the points of the plants, we have 

 a remedy in Edwards's trap. A little short manure spread round the 

 plant as mulching is very beneficial. This should be done about the 

 middle of the month, as it can be done more easily before the side 

 stakes have been used to tie the plants to. 



Flower Garden. — The frequent showers of rain we have lately had 

 will have obviated the necessity of much watering ; this will have saved 

 much labour, which ought to be usefully and profitably employed 

 otherwise. Pegging down and tying up will demand considerable 

 attention. Keep everything as neat and trim as possible. 



Greenhouse {hard-wooded). — Attend to the young stock in pits and 

 frames ; there will be every now and then some plants that will require 

 shifting into larger pots ; turn them round occasionally, and stop and 

 train the young shoots. Towards the end of the month, if the weather 

 be fine, the lights may be left off during the night. Attend to large 

 specimens out of doors ; see they do not suffer for want of water in dry 

 weather, nor from excess of water in wet weather. Soft-wooded 

 Plants. — See directions in previous calendars. 



Eollifhocks. — Side shoots should be taken off This answers two 

 purposes : they make cuttings which produce early plants for next 

 season, and it strengthens the main shoot, thereby producing larger 

 blossoms. The Hollyhock, like the Dahlia, will be strengthened by 

 mulching. 



Kitchen Garden. — The sowings of the chief crops of the various 

 kinds of vegetables being now over, the principal work will be to attend 

 to thinning in proper time, to make good all vacancies, to guard against 

 their suffering either from insects or drought, and to keep constantly 

 hoeing among them, in order to' promote a healthy and luxuriant 

 growth. Plant out immediately the principal breadth of Celery in well 

 manured trenches ; also Leeks. Plant every vacant space with 

 Broccolis of sorts, Brussels Sprouts, Borecole, Savoys, &c. Plant 

 Lettuces and Endive. Sow a good breadth of Turnips ; sow Endive, 

 Lettuces, and Radishes ; sow Cabbages. Plant a good breadth of 

 Cauliflower now — they will come during the autumn. 



Melons. — Give abundance of air when the fruit are approaching 

 maturity ; keep the atmosphere dry ; attend to late crops ; thin shoots, 

 water, &c. ; still keep up a regular bottom heat. 



Orchard House. — Attend carefully to watering. Syringe freely, and 

 give abundance of air. Stop and thin shoots, and do not retain one 

 more than is necessary. 



Pansies. — Seed should be gathered for a short time longer, but not 

 from flowers that have become small and out of colour from the plant 

 having become exhausted. Continue to propagate by putting in cut- 



