142 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOaiST. [JUNE, 



this species, from its tall aucl stately growth, is generally carried in masonic processions in 

 Scotland ; but Dr. Johnston was informed by an old mason that initiated gardeners well 

 understood the ililk or Holy Thistle (Silybum Mai-ianuvi) to be the true plant, and they 

 therefore usually stuck the heads of the latter on the strong spines of the Onopordon. This 

 appears decisive of the matter, and though *S'. Marianum may not be a native of Scotland, 

 Professor Balfour states that it is now found about the ruins of castles, in whose gardens in 

 the Xorth it was formerly cultivated. 



GAEDEX WORK FOR JUNE. 



FLOWERS. 



iOVEWLY-PLANTED flowers must be encouraged to make free growth, for 

 ■djiijP the great object is to clothe the beds as rapidly as possible ; and thick 

 ^"^ planting and liberal culture are the best means of promoting early 

 ^S) clothing. The latter consists in rich mulchings of the surface when 

 §"" practicable, and liberal waterings of weak manure-water ; this quickens 

 as well as stimulates. One of the best adjuncts to a flower garden is an open 

 copper of large dimensions, easily heated and kept hot. Give no water under 

 80° ; then break and fresh-mulch the surface immediately after the watering, 

 and note the effect on growth. Unless one has a shallow open tank or pond 

 in the sunshine to get warm water from, one of the surest modes of fostering 

 bedding-out plants is to keep the pot boiling to supply them with warm water. 

 See, too, that the plants are pegged or staked firmly to one spot ; this saves the 

 tops from breaking and the roots from rupture. It is well, however, to keep a 

 stock of reserve plants, for filling up blanks in beds or borders, instead of clearing 

 them all off to hungry beggars or importunate friends. 



In the mixed border attend to the tying-up of Dahlias^ Holhjliochs, Phloxes^ 

 Pentstemons^ &c. Take up bulbs as the leaves decay, and fill their vacant places 

 with annuals, such as reserves of Zinnias^ Marigolds^ Stocks, Asters, &c. Cut- 

 tings of Double Wallflowers, Rockets, &c., may be inserted on a shady border, 

 and early-rooted cuttings and layers of Violets, Forget-me-nots, Arahis, Auhrie- 

 tias, Ali/ssums, &c., planted out in the reserve ground or in the mixed border. 

 Brompton and Intermediate Stocks should also be sown. Roses should be budded 

 as soon as the bark will run — on any stock on which Eoses thrive best in the 

 district. In those unfortunate places where many Eoses decline to grow on either 

 the Manettii or the Dog-Eose, seedling or otherwise, watch for free-growing roses 

 of any variety, such as Auguste Mie, Charles Lawson, and Coupe de Hebe, strike 

 them by wholesale, and work other roses upon them ; by such election of stock 

 the chances of success are enhanced. Thin the buds ; shade prize flowers ; and 

 early in the month, or rather late in Maj', give the swelling buds a running 

 taste of guano. Hunt to death the green caterpillars, grubs, green-fly, and other 

 vermin that delight to feed themselves fat on the leaves and buds of Eoses. 



The plant-stove and orchid-house will soon have reached the crown of the 

 tidal wave of life and growth ; heat, moisture, and light will be exerting their 

 maximum forces, and growth will be rapid, and it ought also to be strong. As 

 the beauty of fine-foliage plants, and, indeed, of most others, consists greatly or 

 wholly in their leaves, great care should be taken not to injure nor mark them in 

 any way. This is often done by the itching fingers of thoughtless visitors, but a 

 hint to the fair admirers ought to suSice. Shift any plants that require it, and look 

 •out for the first thrips, or scale, or bug, for by crushing these we save the plants, 

 mayhap, from ruin. Attend to climbers on the roof, and keep them thin, and 

 artistically trained. 



The conservatory and greenhouse will probabh' soon be emptied of their hard- 

 wooded occupants, excepting Camellias or Azaleas making their growth, and will 



