THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



189 



can add more to its beauty than a few small 

 green leaves between the flowers, which 

 give it an elegant and graceful appearance. 

 The third point is colour — the brightest, 

 strongest, and most distinct, stand first, but 

 it is desiraole to obtain all imaginable shades. 

 Stake them before they get too high, and 

 secure them well by tying, and they will 

 grow erect. The most robust grower does 

 not require a stake higher than four feet 

 from the ground. If the weather is dry at 

 the season of the year, they may be watered 



with a solution of guano, or any other liquid 

 manure, poured carefully round the roots, 

 avoiding to pour it on or too near the stem 

 To grow the flowers fine, cut off the lateral 

 shoots, thin the flower buds, if crowded to- 

 gether, and take oft' the top of the spike, 

 according to the height desired, paying 

 attention to the usual height and habit of the 

 plant. Observe, by topping it, you may 

 increase the size of the flower, but at the 

 same time, shorten its duration of flowering, 

 and, perhaps, disfigure its appearance. 



&GOOOOOOOGOCOOOOC 



AUGUST WORK IN THE GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE. 



The gardens are now in their gayest 

 trim, and every care should be taken 

 to keep them so, as long as the season 

 lasts. During dry weather, beds of 

 geraniums in full bloom should have an 

 occasional heavy shower from an en- 

 gine, to wash the fallen blossoms off 

 the foliage, and once a week, at least, 

 all the bedded stock should be looked 

 over, for the purpose of cutting away 

 faded trusses, and to thin out shoots 

 for striking, to keep over winter. 

 When the nights are cold, it is best to 

 water, when required, at daybreak, as, 

 at this time of year, cold and damp to- 

 gether, sometimes cause mildew. Some 

 of our Reidii geraniums were mildewed 

 by the cold weather we had at the be- 

 ginning of July, but, of course, re- 

 covered, when the heat increased. 

 The heavy rains of the past month did 

 a vast deal of good, especially to the 

 grass, which, in many places, was 

 getting sere, for want of moisture. 

 Those who are curious about bedding 

 effects, should at once make their 

 visits to Kew, Chiswick, Sydenham, and 

 other noted places in their own locali- 

 ties, to judge all new things on the 

 ground, when at their best. Geraniums, 

 petunias, verbenas, penstemons, &c, 

 should now be in full glow, if really 

 worthy sorts ; and, at home, it is well 

 to make notes, before the season closes, 

 of all successes, and all failures, with a 

 view of determining what stock to 

 raise for next season. Wherever much 

 artificial watering has been resorted to, 

 the ground will, if not already loosened, 

 require a dressing with hoe and 

 rake, so as to open the surface, after 

 which, straggling shoots should be 



pegged down, to keep the beds well 

 covered. In the kitchen and fruit 

 garden a prospective view of things 

 should be taken quickly, in order that 

 whatever operations are necessary to 

 make all right for the winter, may be 

 attended to in good time. 



Kitchen Garden. — Winter greens claim 

 the first attention, and it is necessary to 

 ensure at once a good supply, and a variety. 

 By this time, Scotch kale, Brussell's sprouts, 

 Broccolis, savoys, &c, ought to be strong, 

 and where they have been planted between 

 rows of peas, to stand the winter, should 

 now be looked over, and every other plant 

 taken out, to make fresh rows, if they are 

 at all crowded. Cabbages of most kinds 

 may be sown in the second week of August, 

 Shilling's queen, Spro thorough, West Ham, 

 and red Dutch, ought to have a place in 

 every garden. Sow also prickly spinach on 

 slopes in rich soil, and plenty of hardy 

 green Hammersmith, and black-seeded cos 

 lettuce. The summer-sown endive will 

 now be strong enough to plant out on slopes, 

 or raised beds. Give plenty of water, 

 alternating with liquid manure, to celery, 

 and do not earth it up until it is well grown, 

 the earthing being only to blanch it for use. 

 Give plenty of water to broccoli and cauli- 

 flower beds, and top scarlet-runners. In 

 good open situations, vegetable marrows, 

 for a late supply, may still be sown. Use 

 grass mowings to mulch the ground between 

 crops that are likely to suffer from drought. 

 Hoe between the rows of potatoes in dry 

 weather, but do not draw the earth to the 

 stems ; the admission of air and sun-heat to 

 the roots will hasten the ripening of the 

 tubes ; the foliage, where it remains green, 

 should be injured as little as possible. 

 Those that are casting their haulm may be 

 taken up. 



Flower Garden. — Continue to bud 

 roses and fruit trees, choosiDg damp, dull 



