i88i.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 215 



trenched ; a surfacing of thoroughly rotten manure would do much to 

 establish a long blooming season. Dahlias should be gradually 

 hardened before they are turned out ; and it may be necessary in some 

 localities to protect the plants with fiower-pots at night : they are 

 easily destroyed by frost. Herbaceous borders and beds should be 

 well hoed, and stake all plants requiring it. Phloxes, Delphiniums, 

 and suchlike soon get destroyed if left to themselves. Roses may 

 be examined for grubs. A good soaking of manure-water before they 

 flower would be of much service to them. Lawns may still be reno- 

 vated by fresh surfacing of soil and good seed sown. All weeds 

 in grass should be removed, walks thoroughly cleaned, edgings cut 

 often, and everything in thorough good keeping. Lime-water destroys 

 worms. 



PL A NT- STRUCTUEES. 



At this season watering must have increased attention ; it may be 

 done in the after-part of the day. The roots of all pot-plants should 

 now be in healthy soil, with proper drainage ; no stimulants, or the 

 most judicious watering, will ever give health and vigour if the roots 

 are not active and in wholesome soil. Better to have a small stock 

 of plants and do them well, than be crowded up, with worthless kinds 

 destroying what should be useful. Manure cannot often be mixed 

 with soil in pots with advantage. Gross feeders may get advantage 

 from it, but often the soil is made sour and unwholesome by it. 

 Absence of air is what does the mischief. Airing must be increased 

 to most kinds of plants, especially those of the greenhouse class. 

 Cold currents should be avoided. To keep health, thorough cleanli- 

 ness should be maintained everywhere. Look often to see that no 

 insects are being harboured. Foliage of every plant should be free 

 from dust, and a free use of the syringe and rain-water may be made ; 

 but see that no soil becomes sodden by frequent overhead drenchings. 

 Fire will probably be in less request now, but frost must be kept out, 

 and plants requiring a higher growing atmosphere must have it. In 

 greenhouses and cold pits there should be a stock of plants coming 

 forward to supply the show-house. This structure may only be a glass 

 case attached to an upper storey ; but whether that or a gigantic con- 

 servatory, the same attention, to a greater or less extent, is neces- 

 sary to secure a continuous display of bloom. Begonias (tuberous 

 kinds), which make a fine display, may now be arranged in successions. 

 They do well in turfy loam and sand — a little rotten healthy leaf -soil, 

 or a trifle of peat, is of some advantage. Calceolarias and Pelargoniums 

 now flowering may require manure-water. If there are not other things 

 to crowd out the following, they may be in full growth for later sup- 

 plies of flowers — Heliotropes, Harrison's Musk, Pelargoniums of 

 the various classes. Show kinds coming into flower are very apt to 

 suffer by green-fly, and can be syringed with quassia-water or fumi- 



