96 THE FLORIST. 



intended for the early exhibitions, and also those that are well 

 established in their blooming pots. Now they should occasionally have 

 some liquid manure water. As the days lengthen an increase of tem- 

 perature may be allowed, and air should be given early on fine bright 

 mornings ; but the house should be closed early in the afternoon. 

 Attend to the training of the shoots, to admit the light and air. The 

 young stock should have every attention to training, the stopping back 

 of any strong shoots, being kept entirely free of insects, and encouraged 

 by every possible means to make a vigorous and healthy growth. Keep 

 the plants clean of dead foliage, and especially the fancy varieties, for 

 if they are allowed to remain long on the shoots, they often cause them 

 to damp, and spoil the shape of the plant. The June and late flowering 

 plants, as they progress in growth, should be kept well tied out, according 

 to instructions previously given. 



Pinery. — Fruit ripening should be well exposed to get it a good 

 colour, and a rather drier atmosphere kept ; succession plants, if active 

 ; Uhe roots, may have a shift towards the end of the month. Use pure 

 ioam, or loam and peat, with a little bone dust mixed with it ; but be 

 sure that the roots are on the move before you pot, or if not give them 

 a little extra bottom heat to forward them. 



Pinks. — Top-dress without loss of time, if not already done, using 

 half-rotten manure mixed with rich loamy soil. Particularly mild as 

 the weather has been of late, those planted early, as recommended by 

 us last autumn, look very strong and healthy. From the remarkable 

 season we have experienced, a fine bloom is very probable. 



Tulips. — Protect the bed with 'canvas, frigi-domo, or mats, whenever 

 there is severe frost, or excessive rain ; but, as a rule, keep it covered 

 as little as possible, as doing so obviously excites a weakly growth. 

 Stir the surface of the soil between the bulbs as soon as it is in the best 

 state for the operation, i. e., between wet and dry. All the beds we 

 have seen, and they are not a few, promise a good bloom, the appear- 

 ance above ground being very regular. An early bloom is all but 

 certain however. In our next we shall give full particulars, as well as 

 day of meeting, for the great National Exhibition to be held at Slough. 



Vineries. — Early Grapes, which have been thinned, should be kept 

 growing by a uniform temperature of about 60° by night, and ranging 

 to 80° under bright sun by day. Sprinkle the paths, walls, &c, fre- 

 quently, to maintain a certain degree of humidity in the atmosphere, 

 and let the admission of air be attended to early each morning ; indeed, 

 if a little is allowed all night it will be to the advantage of the crop. 

 Grapes in pots will require constant watching to supply them with 

 water. Outside borders should be watched, to see the protective mate- 

 rials keep off the wet, and if they give a slight heat at the same time 

 the roots will derive an additional benefit ; but, if heat has been applied, 

 it must not be allowed to decline. Bring on succession houses, and 

 stop down shoots as they advance. The latest houses where fruit 

 is cut may be pruned and washed, and the vines shaded from the sun to 

 keep them from breaking till late. Now is a good time to pot a lot of 

 vines for fruiting next season in pots. 



