128 THE FLORIST. 



Keep up the required succession of vegetables, according to the demand. 

 Peas and Cauliflowers should have well trenched and richly manured 

 ground, or the produce will be indifferent — in dry weather particularly, 

 it' the land is at all poor; in fact, deep working of the soil, and frequent 

 stirrings of the surface, are the main points of success in growing nine- 

 tenths of our vegetable crops. Sow a crop of early French Beans on a 

 warm border, and Scarlet Runners may be sown towards the middle of 

 the month. Thin out Onions, Parsnips, Lettuces, Carrots, Parsley, and 

 Spinach, when large enough. Silver Beet may be sown towards the 

 end of the month, as also Salsafy, and Scorzonera, which run when 

 sown sooner. If you want your Rhubarb to grow as large in the stem 

 as a tidy builder's pole, water the roots two or three times a week with 

 guano water or other liquid manure. 



Melons and Cucumbers. — Follow our last directions, and see that 

 the heat, both bottom and top, is at all times uniform, that no check 

 may occur — which, with Melons particularly, is most injurious. 

 Watch for green-fly and red spider ; frames and pits with these plants 

 may be kept pretty free from these pests by occasionally washing the 

 inside with tobacco water, with which mix a handful of sulphur. 



Pelargoniums. — As the successful blooming of these plants depends 

 on the strength and vigour of the shoots, do not allow anything to check 

 their progress. As the branches increase in size, continue to tie thpm 

 out, so as to keep them free of each other ; and, also, do not permit 

 any of the plants to be crowded. Keep the foliage clean, if needful, by 

 thoroughly using the syringe and soft water. The time is nearly at 

 hand for the cultivation of this beautiful flower, and any care and 

 attention will be abundantly repaid. The early flowering plants will 

 especially demand even increased attention, as they will be fast coming 

 into bloom. Never allow them to get dry, as that state injures the 

 bloom, and causes the plants to lose their leaves. Do not forget to 

 well fumigate them, to keep the green-fly under, a pest which increases 

 rapidly at this season. In bright weather, a slight shade will, in the 

 heat of the day, be necessary ; and, if late flowering plants are required, 

 some must be removed now into a cold pit, to keep them back. 



Tulips. — All appears promising for a good but early season of blooms. 



Peach House. — In selecting the wood for next year's bearing, in 

 some degree be guided by the vigour of the tree. Strong growing trees 

 will require the wood to be laid in pretty thick, while weakly growing 

 ones must have it left in much thinner ; with the former, leave a large 

 crop to check too luxuriant a growth, while weakly trees should be 

 rather under cropped, till they gain strength. Keep down green-fly ; 

 and thin the last house, if the fruit has set too thickly. The night 

 temperature of the early house should not exceed 60°, allowing a rise 

 of 15° to 20° under bright sun. Syringe with tepid water once or 

 twice daily, according to the weather. 



Pinery. — If not shifted last month, the succession plants will now 

 require repotting. Shake the soil clear away from plants at all 

 unhealthy, or when the soil is not in a suitable state, and repot the 

 plants in pure loam. The healthy plants should have a small shift, 

 liberating the roots before potting ; let the soil be moderately dry. 



