190 THE FLORIST. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas. There will be but very little to do this month beyond 

 keeping the plants clean, both of green-fly and decayed foliage. The 

 plants should not be crowded where they stand on a north border, or be 

 allowed to have too much wet. 



Camellias should be watched, and, as the growth gets matured, more 

 air admitted, accompan'ed with a larger share of light; this ^vill induce 

 the formation of bloom buds. If in a house, however, with a south 

 aspect, shading must be resorted to during bright sunshine. Syringe as 

 usual. 



Carnations and Picotees. A very important operation to the exhibitor, 

 viz., disl)udding, will have to be attended to this month. Some of the 

 early kinds, from the forwardness of the season, should have been gone 

 over late in May ; therefore no time must be lost in going over the 

 whole stock once a week, remo\'ing such side buds as are forward 

 enough, and that it is necessary to displace. Two, with the centre bud, 

 is a full number for any plant to carry. If blooms are required large 

 for the purpose of exhibition, a less number wall be sufficient. They 

 should not be disbudded to their fullest extent the first time going over 

 them, as some of the buds may fail. Keep down green-fly by brushing 

 the points of the shoots with weak tobacco water, and pure water 

 alternately to cleanse the points of the young shoots. As the blooming 

 shoots grow very fast it is necessary to go over the plants daily to see 

 that the bass that supports them to the sticks is loose, and to give 

 them fresh ties. An early but a good bloom is tolerably certain this 

 season. 



Cinerarias. If sufficient seed has been saved, cut doAvn all not 

 already done, and stand them in a cool north aspect. A Uttle veiy fine 

 soil should be placed round the old stools to encourage the young shoots 

 that break fi-om the bottom to root. Save seed for \nnter blooming. 



Cold Frames, now emptied of their winter stock, may be success- 

 fully used in growing Balsams, and other annuals. Fuchsias, &c., or 

 late crops of Cucumbers and I\Ielons. 



Conservatory and Shoi£-Jiouse. The conservatory should now be 

 kept thin of extra plants, to allow for the free gro^\i:h of the proper 

 inmates, which will require air plentifully. Water inside borders 

 fi*eely. The regulation of climbers should take place occasionally, 

 allowing them, however, to grow in natural form, as much as possible. 

 A north house is at this season the best structure for showing plants in 

 bloom. 



Dahlias. The ground having been prepared as directed, these 

 should be planted out, about five feet apart ; five feet six inches will 

 not be too much fi-om row to row, for the strong growing kinds. 

 Four feet six inches will be sufficient for a few kinds, such as Queen 

 of Whites, Sir C. Napier, and flowers of similar habit ; by this 

 arrangement space can be saved. Use good rich soil, mixed vdih. a 

 little leaf-mould to turn them out in, this will give them a good 

 start. Secure the plants to stakes when planted out. Dahhas suffer 



