192 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



autumn following they will make grand clumps for the decoration of the flower- 

 ganlen during the spring months. 



Making Stuawheury-deds in Summer. — F. G. — As you have a stock of 

 plants that have been forced in pots there will be no difficulty in forming beds at 

 once, and thus gaining a season. Plant them firm at the iisual distance apart, and 

 if the weather is dry, give the plants several thorough good soakin;::s of water; 

 thev will soon become establislied and form fine plump crowns, which will produce 

 good crops of fiuit next season, and most probably a few fine dishes this autumn ; 

 but this is not always to be depended upon. Next to the forced plants come the 

 runners, which should be layered the same as plants intended for forcing. We 

 cannot understand why the old plan of allowing the runners to grow in a mass 

 together until September, and then tearing them up and making fresh plantations, 

 is so persistently followed. A whole season is lost, as the plants have no more 

 time than is sufficient for them to become firm enough to keep the worms from 

 dragging them out, whereas runners layered in small pots, and planted out imme- 

 diately thej' are nicely rooted will, with a few waterings, produce good crops next 

 summer. In watering established beds it is well it should be thoroughly under- 

 stood that a mere spiinkle on the surf ice is of no use ; it only encourages the roots to 

 the surface, making the plants more susceptible still to the influence of the weather. 

 If the liquid-manure you speak of runs direct from the stable, dilute it with twice 

 its quantity of water, but if only the manure-heap it should be mixed with clear 

 ■water in equal pioportions. Guano mixed at the rate of two ounces to the gallon 

 also makes a good liquid manure for strawberry beds. 



Pentstemox Seed. — B. — As the seed Las been saved from a few choice 

 varieties sow it in pans full of ligiit soil, such as loam and leaf-mould equal parts ; 

 sow tliin, as you can then let the young plants remain until they are stout anti 

 laro-e enough to prick off without being drawn up weak and spindly. When 

 they are large enough, prick out into boxes, and in the spring plant out in their 

 permanent quarters. Cover the pans with a piece of glass, or place them in a 

 cold frame ; shade with a piece of canvas or a mat for a few days after pricking 

 the seedlings out. 



Clisibing Annuals. — F. S., Leeds. — The annual climbers can now be planted 

 out as they are properly hardened off. As they are retiuired to cover a large 

 space quickly, give the border a good dressing of rotten dung previous to planting, 

 and if the eaves of the house project sufficiently to keep the border dry, give them 

 a good soaking of water occasionally, 



M. S,, Torquay. — Your pretty plant is Ixia viridiflora, 



J. J". — If we had been favoured with any such communication as yours, we 

 should probably have continued the feature you speak of; but it appeared to be 

 labour wasted, and your letter is the only one we have ever received speaking 

 favourably of it. We have no intention to revive it, for it entails much work, and 

 pleases very few. 



EucoDONiAS. — P. F. 0. — These plants require nearly the same treatment as 

 gesneras. For a practical ptiper on the subject, see Flokal World for October, 

 1870. 



Hoses. — X. X. D. — We do not see the way to help you much, for your soil is 

 evidently not adapted for roses. We think the drift leaves of the slip would help 

 you much if dug in as you gft them, taking your risk of the vermin the gardeners 

 are so ready to denounce. The vermin found in such stuff are not usually the 

 enemies of roses. In selecting, probably, the very free-flowering i-obust varieties 

 that are recommended for town gardens would suit you best, and we think you 

 must be content with mauetti roies instead of standards. If you can get peat 

 cheap, even if it is of a boggy texture, you may mix it with the staple soil to 

 advantage for roses. When you have planted, lay on a good coat of fat manure for 

 ii mulch. 



Mushrooms, — Young Gardener. — Make up a bed of short dung that has not 

 been heaped or exposed much to the weather. Make it up slowly, so that no 

 excessive fermentation takes place, and let it be moderately dry all through. 

 When only comfortably warm to the liand, say " milk-warm," spread two inches 

 of loam over, and insert the spawn in pieces of tlie size of hazel-nuts all over it. 

 Gentle waterings occasionally, with a close air and darkness, will give you plenty 

 of mushrooms if the spawn is good. Most of the failures in mushrooms arise from 

 the bad quality of the spawn. 



