90 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



proper height. Shading must he resorted to, or the plants in flower will soon lose 

 their freshness and beauty. Air, however, must be freely admitted when the weather 

 will admit of its being done, as nearly the wbole of the hard-wooded plants will now 

 be making their growth, and unless they have plenty of air the young wood will 

 want that firmness whicli is so essential to an abundance of bloom. Soft-wooded 

 Heaths and Epacris should be cut down soon after they go out of flower ; they have 

 then plenty of time to make new wood, and get it matured before autumn. Camel- 

 lias growing out of shape should be pruned and placed in a nice genial growing 

 atmosphere, and well syringed with tepid water to induce them to break well. 

 Pelargoniums of all kinds that need a shift must have it at once, or not at all ; 

 plants that have filled the pots with roots will be benefited by alternate waterings of 

 weak manure water. Herbaceous calceolarias do better without liquid manure. 

 Primulas and Cyclamens going out of flower must be placed in a light airy place to 

 ripen their seed, if it is intended to save any. As we usually have during this 

 month frosty nights, and bright days, the paths should be sprinkled early in the 

 morning to counteract the dryness arising from the fire-heat by night and solar 

 warmth by day. Shift all plants that need it as fast as they go out of flower. 

 Plants coming from the frames, should have a smoking before they are brought into 

 the greenhouse, as there are many plants now in bloom, and flowers of all kinds 

 receive considerable injury from tobacco smoke. Plants brought from the forcing 

 houses in bloom should have the advantage of a close, warm, shady corner until they 

 get inured to the greenhouse temperature. Fuchsias should be shaken out, root 

 pruned, and repotted ; cuttings put in last month will now be nicely rooted, and 

 ready for potting off. Sow Balsams, Cockscombs, Phlox Drummondi, and other 

 annuals for summer decoration. Pot off early sown plants. 



Stove. — Shading must now be resorted to during bright flashes of sunshine, as 

 it is impossible to give sufficient air to keep the temperature down to its proper level 

 without injuring the plants. Climbers will now be in full growth, therefore they 

 must receive attention. Amaryllis going out of flower should be placed on a light, 

 airy shelf, and properly attended to with water, to enable the bulbs to get thoroughly 

 matured. Set to work another batch of Achimines and Gloxinias ; shift on those 

 started early. Repot Begonias, Gloriosas, Luculias, Rondoletias, and Ixoras, that 

 have been cut back. Those that are about to flower must be left alone until their 

 beauty is past. Start Clerodendrons, Stephanotis, Cissus, Dipladenias, etc. ; all will 

 start quicker and stronger if the pots are partly plunged, or set upon a gentle 

 bottom-heat. Water cautiously at first. Ferns will soon be starting into growth ; 

 those requiring a shift must have it at once. Where the plants are already in large 

 pots, and it is not considered desirable to increase the size, reduce the ball two or 

 three inches all round, and cut a piece off the bottom, and repot in the same size 

 again ; keep close and shady for a week or so after doing this. Propagate all kinds 

 of hard-wooded plants as soon as the young growth is about half ripe. Euphorbias, 

 Justicias, Poinsettias, and other plants just done flowering should be cut back, and 

 after making an inch or so of young growth repotted. To maintain a moist growing 

 atmosphere sprinkle the paths and walls twice a-day, and give the plants a good syring- 

 ing overhead once, with the exception of those in flower, which must be kept dry. 



Orchids starting into growth must be repotted at once. Use plenty of crocks 

 to insure the drainage being perfect. Throw plenty of water on the floor, but the 

 plants must not be sprinkled overhead yet. Shade when necessary to prevent the 

 foliage burning. The external air is very cold just now, therefore what little is 

 admitted should pass over the hot-water pipes before coming in contact with the 

 plants. Temperature of stove 60° to 65° by night, with a rise of ten degrees by 

 day. 



Kitchen Garden. — This is the most important season in the whole year in this 

 department, for the kitchen supplies are ruled throughout the whole year by the way 

 the operations are conducted now. Continue to turn up every quarter directly it 

 becomes vacant. In light warm soils get in the main crops of potatoes towards the 

 end of the month. In cold damp soils, the middle of next month will be preferable. 

 Sow and make new beds of Asparagus. Sow for main crops Borecole, Brussels 

 Sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoons, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Chervil, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, 

 Parsley, Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Savoys, Scorzonera, Spinach, and Turnips. Plant 

 Globe and Jerusalem Artichokes ; clear the former of dead leaves and protecting 

 material. Make fresh plantations of Horse-radish, Rhubarb, and Shallots if not 



