4G THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



out plants propagated in the autumn ; and in rather mild seasons, 

 provided the soil is in good working order, it will be advantageous 

 to plant out early in March, as they will then have plenty of time to 

 make new roots, and become well established before the hot weather 

 sets in. 



The beds should be prepared early in the winter, by being 

 dressed liberally with good hotbed or stable manure, and then 

 trenched over to a depth of eighteen inches or two faet. If planted 

 in borders, let the rows be four feet apart, and the plants three feet 

 from each other in the rows; but when grown in beds they should 

 be three feet apart each way. 



In the early part of June examine the plants and thin the 

 spikes where necessary, and as a rule, not more than two or three 

 should bo allowed to each plant ; for when all the spikes remain, 

 they are necessarily weak, and the flowers are small and thin in 

 consequence. When exhibition blooms or spikes are required, 

 one spike to each plant will be quite sufficient. When the 

 spikes are about two feet in height put a stout stake to each, 

 and let it be of a sufficient length to stand four feet above the 

 ground level when firmly inserted in the soil. Stakes of this height 

 will be quite sufficient to support the spikes. Strong bast must be 

 used, and the tying done as it becomes necessary for the purpose of 

 keeping the spikes in an upright condition when in a young state. 

 The surface may also be covered with partly-rotted manure in the 

 early part of June, for the purpose of keeping the soil cool and moist; 

 and in the case of beds near the dwelling-house, spread a little soil 

 over the manure to prevent its having an unsightly appearance 

 during the summer. 



A thorough soaking of water once a week, during periods of dry 

 weather, will be of immense assistance to the plants. As they suffer 

 severely from being exposed to the effects of too much moisture 

 during the winter season, it is much the best to propagate a stock 

 annually, and winter it in a cold frame. There is not much diffi- 

 culty in doing this, for the shoots which are produced at the base 

 of the flower-spike will, if taken ofl' in July or August, strike freely. 

 Take them off" with a heel, and insert four or five together in five- 

 inch pots, and place in a cold frame. With ordinary attention they 

 will soon be sufficiently rooted to admit of their being potted off 

 separately. As it is of the first importance that they should not be 

 cramped at the roots dmnngthe winter, put them in six-inch pots, 

 and use a mixture of turfy loam and leaf-mould. During the winter 

 season they will simply require protection from the wet weather and 

 severe frost ; indeed it will do them more harm than good to coddle 

 them. When it is inconvenient to propagate annually and keep the 

 stock in the cold frame, draw a little of the soil from about the 

 collar of the plants, and fill the space with sharp silver-sand, as it 

 prevents the lodgment of moisture about the crown, and also helps 

 to keep them safe from the attacks of insects. 



