278 THE GARDENER. [June 



is being proceeded with, the plants may be put out into their places 

 without filling in the soil level round the plants until after a good 

 watering sufficient to moisten it on all sides, and to a good depth, 

 has been given. In a short time the beds require to be levelled, and if 

 a mulching of rotted manure can be spared at same time, most plants 

 will be in a position to make a start for themselves without further 

 attention. Watering, unless a necessity, is an evil which ought to be 

 avoided. Where carpet-bedding is indulged in, a different regime is 

 necessary with regard to applying water. Owing to the closeness that 

 the plants are put to each other, watering in dry weather is a neces- 

 sity that cannot be avoided without harming the appearance of the 

 beds ; but even here no more than is simply requisite should be given. 

 It is during the beginning of the season that water is most necessary 

 here also. Many seedling plants sown in frames in April will be no 

 more than ready now for pricking out into their places : these comprise 

 such good autumn-flowering plants as Asters, Phlox Drummondii, and 

 Marigolds. In dry weather we draw the roots of these through a mix- 

 ture of soil and water, which keeps the roots fresh until the plants 

 make a start into the soil. Staking all plants as, or before, they require 

 it, in mixed borders, is a necessary portion of the work of the month. 

 The hoe should also be plied now without stint, and all weeds kept 

 down both on beds and walks. All plants required to be kept low 

 should be pinched from the first in order to obtain a bushy growth, so 

 as to do with fewer pinchings later on. Violas and bedding Pansies 

 will require going over, and all seed -capsules and decaying flowers 

 gathered off. This, in addition to a mulching of rotted manure, will go 

 far to keep these in a free-flowering condition. Early-flowering her- 

 baceous plants, if denuded of flower-spikes as these begin to decay, will 

 flower again, in many instances, late in autumn. Annuals over-thick 

 in beds or borders should be immediately thinned out in order to keep 

 them in a floriferous state till late in autumn. R. P. B. 



THE AMATEUR'S GARDEN. 



SALADS. 



{Continued from page 230.) 



Lettuces are in demand wherever they can be obtained. Their cultivation is 

 very simple, but the way in which small growers treat them generally is not 

 productive of fine crisp Lettuces. We refer to the practice of sowing them 

 thickly and never thinning them. To grow them well the soil must be rich, 

 otherwise they will fail in the most important quality of a good Lettuce — viz., 

 crisp tenderness. The very earliest are got from sowings made from the middle 

 to the end of August, and transplanted in September, when protection can be 

 afforded them. Cold frames are best for the purpose, and dry light soil on a 

 well - drained bottom is essential. Air ought to be given on all favourable 



