188 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



of thirty inches. The mean temperature is 59°, the average range 

 being from 37*^ to 90°. The first eight days may be cold and 

 gloomy, and we may wait until the 20th for good summer weather, 

 although southerly and westerly winds are due about the 10th, with 

 occasional light showers. A really good season, such as 18G8 or 

 1870, we cannot now hope for, the May frosts having ravaged the 

 land. Let us hope, however, that what is left of fruit and grain 

 may ripen fairly, and that out of the abundance of the heart we may 

 praise the Lord of the harvest. 



The more important of the garden flowers are the Oenotheras, 

 campanulas, dephiniums, dianthus, pinks, pteonies, pyrethrums, 

 lilies, and sweet-williams. By the end of the month, the summer 

 bedders will begin to produce a good display of colour. 



The garden work of June comprises the thinning and training 

 of the shoots of the fruit-trees, thinning the fruit, and frequent 

 washings of the foliage; the removal of the runners from strawberry 

 beds, planting out and sowing- successioual crops of vegetables. 

 The most important of the indoor work is the general removal of 

 the hard wooded plants from the greenhouse, and the repotting of 

 such as require more space for the development of the roots. 



Flower G-aedek. — To secure fine spikes or flowers, as the 

 case may be, old stools of such things as produce a multiplicity of 

 flower-spikes should be examined, and the weakest of the flowering 

 shoots thinned out. Stake those left, and also flowering spikes of 

 delphiniums, lilies, etc., to prevent the wind snapping them off". The 

 summer bedders ought to be in their proper places by this time, and 

 the beds and borders be made trim and neat as speedily as possible. 

 Pansiea that have done flowering should be cut back, and cuttings 

 made of the young side-shoots as they push. Petunias and verbenas 

 should have the young shoots pegged out regularly before they get 

 crowded. Upright growers should have the soil stirred between 

 them, if it has become hard from the necessary waterings. The 

 superfluous shoots should be removed from briers intended for budding, 

 and the remaining ones shortened back if they are growing too 

 vigorously. Sow seed of annuals for autumn flowering, and herba- 

 ceous perennials for flowering next year. Many hardy plants will 

 strike freely now on a shady border, or under hand-lights, if the 

 young side-shoots are slipped oft' with a heel, and inserted firmly 

 in the soil. Dahlias and hollyhocks must have stakes put to them at 

 once, and chrysan them vims in the borders stopped at the beginning 

 and again at the end of the month. 



Greenhouse. — The whole of the hard-wooded plants ought to 

 be removed into the air some time this month, according to the state 

 of the young growth. The utmost caution is necessary, just now, to 

 see that the plants have sufGcient water at the roots, but without 

 having too much. Pelargoniums are now fast going out of flower, 

 and should be removed to the open air to mature the young wood. 

 The eai'ly-flowering varieties that were cut back early last month 

 will be ready for potting soon. The plants should be shaken out of 

 the old stuff, the roots pruned, and then be repotted in smaller- 



