iSyi.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 305 



for pegging the plants into, when growing in pots is to be the system 

 of culture. Annuals growing too thickly may be thinned, and the 

 young plants placed in suitable positions, if necessary ; they require 

 plenty of water, and shading for a time is beneficial. Auriculas must 

 have the drainage of the pots frequently examined, keeping them clear; 

 dead leaves should not be tolerated. Seedling Pansies, Wallflowers, 

 Rockets, Canterbury Bells, and all similar plants, should be planted out 

 before they become stunted in seedbeds. Divide and plant Polyanthus 

 in cool rich soil. Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, &c., which were 

 flowered in pots, may be planted out in borders for next season's 

 flowering ; a quantity may be retained in boxes of sand, to be planted 

 thickly in pots and boxes for early flowering. Flowers come small, but 

 often this practice saves hard forcing of good kinds. Violets should 

 have plenty of water, and, if growing too freely, the soil may be hard 

 trodden round the plants, and an open surface maintained. Propagat- 

 ing of bedding-plants will soon require attention ; scarce kinds, as they 

 can spare a few cuttings, should have attention. Well-drained pots or 

 pans should be in readiness ; single pots for rare Geraniums answer 

 well, using sandy soil. Top Chrysanthemums as they require it ; the 

 end of June is late enough for Scotland and colder districts, but the 

 middle or later in July is not too late for the south of England. 

 Watering overhead and at the roots should not be neglected ; I mean 

 thorough soakings. Surface dribbling is one of the greatest evils in 

 practice, and annually kills thousands of valuable plants. Drainage 

 choked up is another great evil, and will in time kill plants which 

 naturally require abundance of water. A cool wet autumn, or one dry 

 and hot, will make much difl'erence on both time of flowering and quality 

 of them. To plants of Chrysanthemums which are to flower in small 

 pots, and these pots becoming filled with roots, liquid manure will be of 

 much service ] but for larger specimens, in big pots, manure-water for 

 some time may be withheld. Stake and regulate the shoots ; compact 

 bushes without stakes are handsome. 



Plants in structures will now require much water, dead flowers to be 

 kept off, and manure-water may be given to vigorous growers, such as 

 Fuchsias, Pelargoniums with pots filled with roots. Heaths and Epa- 

 cris will be improved by frequently sprinkling them overhead, and if 

 standing on dry ashes, moistening the surfaces will be of service. Let 

 no plants stand on surfaces from which worms can enter the pots by the 

 drainage. Lights of glass structures may now be easily repaired and 

 painted. Plants flowering under glass should show their individual 

 merits ; as masses of flowers are plentiful out of doors, it requires some- 

 thing more to give interest under glass at this season. Climbers should 

 be kept within limits, but not tied in bunches or crowded in any way. 



