THE FLOKAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 191 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Exhibiting Carnations ^vnd Picotees. — Inquirer, Tasmania. — The flowers at 

 the English Exliibitions are invariably staged with a piece of cardboard underneath. 

 In some cases these cards are made in imitation of lace bouquet-holders, and to a 

 certain extent add materially to the general eifect of a stand of blooms. The cards 

 are of considerable service in preventing the pods splitting when the flowers are 

 being dressed, und in holding those together which have burst previously. 



Bleeding of Vines. — J. W. W. — The vine is sufFering from what is techni- 

 cally known as " bleeding " caused by its being pruned after the sap was in active 

 circulation ; the exudation of the sap has probably ceased by this time, but if it has 

 not done so, paint the wounds with painters' " knotting," which may be obtained at 

 any oil-shop ; a very small quantity will suffice, and proper care must be taken to 

 avoid splashing it over the other parts of the vine. 



Seeds. — O. Barnes. — The seeds of the subjects mentioned ought to have been 

 up when your letter was wri'tten, and if the young phints have not yet made their 

 appearance the safest course will bo to sow again. The cyclamen seedlings should 

 be potted off separately in three-inch pots, and kept in a growing state during the 

 summer ; they will not require any subsequent shift until after they have done 

 flowering next year, and have enjoyed a kw weeks' rest. 



Colouring a Star. — Lady Hubscriher, Hants. — A rich and satisfactory effect 

 may be produced by first of all planting in the centre a circle, rather large in pro- 

 portion to the size of the bed, of scarlet geraniums ; either of the free-flov/ering 

 varieties would do. Surround this with a double row of variegated geraniums, 

 such as Bijou or May Queen. Then plant a border of Cerastium foment )sum or 

 some other dwarf silver-leaved plant all round the outride of the bed, and lill in the 

 remaining space with blue Lobelias. Before we can advise on the pruning of the fig- 

 tree, we must first know whether it is growing under glass or in the open air. 



Shrubs for Bank. — E. M., Wimbledon. — The following subjects will be 

 found suitable for the sloping bank, Aucubas, Hollies, Euonymus, the common 

 Laurel, the Japanese and common Evergreen Privet. It will be advantageous to 

 have ledges eighteen inches in width, planted on the slope the shrubs will be 

 exposed to the risk of perishing from drought. Between the shrubs, common or 

 Irish Ivy, the strong-growing Periwinkle, Vinca major, and the variegated form, 

 V. major eleganiissima, may be planted to trail over the bank. At the top of the 

 bank a row of Hollies may be planted. 



Planting undeu Trees.— ^. W. Z)., West Hartlepool. — The most useful sub- 

 jects lor planting under the trees for forming a thick undergrowth are the common 

 Laurel, the common Berberis, the common Tew, and the common Holly. All these 

 grow freely under trees, provided they are not allowed to perish from drought. The 

 green- leaved Aucuba will be useful for planting in sunny situations. The buildings will 

 be made less objectionable by covering the walls with Ivy. The most suitable ivies 

 for the purpose are the common Irish and the Algerian, as they are of free growth 

 and soon cover large wall spaces ; to cover the walls as quickly as possible, put out 

 strong plants from pots and provide them with a barrowful of rich soil to root into 

 to give them a good start. 



Propagation of Primroses and Polyanthus — Amateur. — The plants may 

 be increased by division of the roots and seeds. In propagating by means of 

 division, break the plants up into three or four pieces, according to their size; or, 

 if it is desired to increase the stock as much as possible, each plant can be divided 

 into as many parts as it has crowns ; separate the plants so that each portion has 

 a firm base, then plant them three or four inches apart in rows about nine inches 

 from each other. A shady position should be selected, and the growth will be more 

 vigorous it the soil is rather light and rich ; they do exceedingly well in soil with 

 which a liueral proportion of leaf-mould has been incorporated. To raise a stock 

 of seedlings, sow the seed, as soon as it is thoroughly ripe, in pans, and place in a 

 cold frame. A mixture of loam, leaf-mould, and sand will be the mo=t suitable for 

 filling the pans, and until the seed has germinated the soil must be kept in a nice 

 moist state; the plants will require planting out in nursery lines in a shady 

 position when furnished with two or three rough leaves, and in the autumn they 

 can be planted out in the borders, or be lifted aud replanted farther apart. By the 

 Jane. 



