1 88 1.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 115 



be sown. Sweet -Peas, Mignonette, Stocks of choice kinds, Asters, 

 Lobelias, may again be sown, cuttings taken off, and the stock got up 

 to its proper quantity. All annuals requiring heat may be sown in 

 pots. Balsams, Cockscombs, Marigolds, and such kinds, will do well 

 together, but much heat without light and air will rear worthless plants. 



Iresines, Alternantheras, and similar heat-loving plants, should be 

 kept by themselves if possible : they may be propagated rapidly now, 

 and be in good condition long before they can be planted out. 



The herbaceous borders should be forked over ; plants which are 

 growing beyond bounds may be reduced, and all pieces not wanted 

 carefully taken out of the collection. Trenching, manuring, renewing 

 of soil, or otherwise preparing the flower-garden when not occupied 

 with spring plants, may be attended to with all promptitude. Order 

 should now prevail : weeds, tree-leaves, patchy lawns, and moss-covered 

 walks, must not exist. 



ROSE-GARDEN. 



Try and find out all Roses which are killed outright, and replace 

 them before there is a scarcity of plants to be purchased — as I fear 

 there will be. The reports of Roses and shrubs which are killed are 

 truly distressing ; but Roses generally do not show the worst till growth 

 takes place, — then (except suckers, which generally come from stocks 

 of budded and grafted plants) deaths appear in every direction. When 

 planting Roses the ground should be well drained, deeply trenched, 

 and well manured. The plants should be placed in the ground to 

 cover the junction of stock and scion. Mulching is always of good 

 service. Roses on walls may be trimmed, thinned if necessary, and 

 trained. Seldom can climbers have room to do justice to their growth ; 

 but many of the free-growing hybrid Perpetuals and Teas can be 

 trained from 6 to 12 feet, and give a fine display. Gloire de Dijon ; 

 Souvenir de Malmaison, and several others of that class, do well 

 trained to walls. All pruning, manuring, and dressing of Rose beds 

 and borders may be finished as soon as weather will allow it ; but by 

 late pruning nothing is lost. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Abundance of plants are now in bloom, both hard and soft wooded. 

 Hardy plants which have been forced are now very gay, and of great 

 service where cut-flowers are in request. Successions, to keep a con- 

 tinuous supply till they are plentiful out of doors, must be put into 

 warmth periodically. An ordinary frame or pit, shut up with moisture 

 and sun-heat, will bring many useful things on rapidly. Rhododen- 

 drons, such as the nobleanum class, will turn in without such aid : 

 outside they are in flower, but frost cuts them down very frequently. 

 Deutzias, Spiraeas, White Lilacs, Mock Oranges, White Thorns, Double 

 Cherries (single ones are good, and may also bear fruit), along with 



