MAY. 159 



ness of the weather this spring. The plants should now be placed in 

 frames or pits facing north. Where seed is not required, the sooner 

 they are cut down the better, that good early cuttings may be procured . 



Cold Frames. Directly these are cleared for planting out, till them 

 with Balsams and other annuals, to occupy the greenhouse during the 

 summer. Newly pricked off" annuals for turning out may hkewise be 

 sheltered for a week or two in them, to get hold of the pots before 

 planting. 



Comercatory and Show House. Chinese Azaleas, Cinerarias, and 

 the Pelargoniums, slightly forced, will make a great display just now, 

 assisted by forced Roses, a few yellow Calceolarias (a desirable plant 

 at this season), Roses, &c. Keep up a good stock of Orange trees. 

 Daphnes, and scented leaved plants, for their agreeable fragrance. The 

 temperature should now be kept down by shading, and admitting more 

 air ; this will benefit Heaths, Epacrises, and New Holland plants, brought 

 in for decoration. 



Dahlias. Repot without loss of time, using good rich soil, and 

 harden the plants gradually before planting out. Neither an early nor 

 a large plant is absolutely necessary to ensure good blooms ; on the 

 contrary, a late struck plant is preferable to one that has become stunted 

 in its growth. Seedlings must have plenty of room, light, and air ; or 

 they will become drawn, and will suffer when they are planted out. 



Floicer Garden and Shriibberi/. Where planting has been unavoid- 

 ably necessary this spring, mulching must be resorted to, and the newly 

 planted trees, particulai'ly evergreens, damped overhead each afternoon, 

 until they commence growing, when watering at the roots will suffice 

 in dry weather. Supposing the beds for the summer flowering plants 

 have been duly prepared, with the proper compost necessary tor each 

 kind of plant, the turning out of the hardiest plants may be pro- 

 ceeded with at once, especially if there is much to do, as it v\'ill give 

 time. Pentstemons, Dianthuses, Phloxes, and many half-hardy, biennial, 

 and perennial plants, should first be transferred to the open beds. 

 Then may follow Verbenas, Fuchsias, and similar things ; reserving 

 Geraniums, especially the fancy varieties, Dahlias, Salvias, Heliotropes, 

 &c., to the last. 



Forcing. — To Grapes changing colour admit plenty of air ; and if 

 growing in pots, or in-door borders, reduce the water supphed to the 

 roots, and stop and train the shoots of succession Vineries ; and thin the 

 bunches as soon as the berries are formed. Fires will be necessary 

 to late Grapes, during the time they are in bloom, to ensure a good set. . 

 Vines at this stage should be kept as dry as possible ; but, both before 

 and after the blooming period, use plenty of water in each house, 

 sprinkling the floors, walls, &c., often each day ; this is more necessary 

 this spring, owing to the dryness of the external air. Peaches, tie in 

 the shoots as they advance ; thin the fruit by degrees. Do not allow 

 many to stand over till after stoning, or you may lose more than you 

 want ; keep down red spider by the application of clean water ; and 

 the fly by timely fumigations. 



Hardy Fruit. Disbudding the choicer wall-trees, as Peaches, Apri- 

 cots, &c., should take place gradually, reserving such shoots as ^vill be 



