254 THE FLORIST. 



Carnations and Picutees. — These are at the height of their bloom at 

 the present time in the south, and are engaging all the attention of 

 those that take an interest in these chaste flowers. The blooming 

 season is late. This will make the layering of them late also, if not 

 proceeded with at once. We lind those that are first layered winter 

 better than those done late. Hence the importance of getting all down 

 as early as possible. To ensure seed, glasses must be placed over such 

 pods as may have been fertilised, and that it is desirable to procure 

 seed from. Some prefer increasing their stock of Carnations and 

 Picotees by pipings. If this plan is adopted it should be done very 

 early, planting them out as soon as struck in good light soil, to encourage 

 their growth before potting for winter. We recommend only such 

 stock to be increased by pipings that is too high up on the plant to be 

 conveniently layered. 



Cinerarias. — Pot off the first struck cuttings into single pots. These 

 will flower about Christmas. Continue to put in cuttings for succession, 

 potting them off as soon as rooted, using light rich soil. The Cineraria 

 should be grown in boxes or low pits, keeping the plants near the 

 glass till such time as there is danger to be apprehended from frost, 

 when they should be removed into the greenhouse, or into pits, heated 

 with hot water. Seed may still be sown for late blooming. If well 

 saved it will generally produce fair varieties and showy plants, though 

 not so compact in habit as propagated plants of named kinds, which can 

 also be depended on as regards colour, &c., as seedlings often produce 

 flowers of great sameness. The following would please for any purpose, 

 and are very dissimilar : — Lady Paxton, Bousie's Optima, Hopwood's 

 Optimum, Sir C. Napier, Kate Kearney, and Picturata. 



Conservatory. — When so much shade is required to preserve bloom, 

 abundance of air must be kept in this structure, and, as far as con- 

 venient, keep the atmosphere very moist. Keep the borders well 

 watered, and do not allow the climbers to occupy too much space ; cut 

 out the shoots very carefully, and festoon those left as neatly as possible. 



Cucumbers. — Crops in bearing must be shaded from the mid-day 

 sun, which is apt to make the fruit bitter. Should cold and wet follow 

 make up the linings so as to give a slight bottom heat ; keep the Vines 

 thin, and water and air freely, exposing the plants to gentle showers 

 when opportunity occurs. Keep down mildew by dusting the infested 

 leaves with sulphur. Sow some good free bearing kind for autumn 

 and winter crops. 



Dahlias. — There is every appearance of a good and early bloom of 

 this fine autumn flower. The latter point we may consider as certain, 

 there having been exhibited good blooms of this flower both at Watford 

 on the 18th of July, and at Buckingham on the 25th. Continue to 

 water over the foliage every evening during dry weather, and practise a 

 good root watering once or twice a week according to the weather. 

 Secure the side shoots with stakes before a high wind has reminded you 

 of the importance of this being attended to early. Keep down earwigs. 



Flower Garden and Shrubbery. — This season, which, in flower 

 gardening matters, is unusually late, causes extra attention to get the 

 beds completely covered ; where convenient have the flowers pinched 



