262 THE GARDENER. [June 



seldom practised now by experienced plantsmen. Stake, top, and tie 

 out specimens for autumn blooming. There is little required by j^lants 

 coming into bloom except plenty of water, fresh air, and being kept 

 clean. Azaleas, Epacris, Camellias, and the earlier- flowering Heaths, 

 (such as Hyemalis, Autumnalis, etc.), require to be more freely aired 

 and hardened, preparatory to turning them out. Other kinds of 

 Heaths do best in cold pits or frames turned to the north, and tilted up 

 above ground, so that abundance of air may pass among them at all 

 times, the lights being only used to throw off heavy rains. If mildew 

 should make its appearance, dusting sulphur over it will be a preven- 

 tive. Primulas may be repotted as they fill their pots with roots ; light 

 soil, such as leaf-mould, sand, and a little loam, suits them. Keep 

 them near the glass, water carefully, avoiding too much damp, and 

 shade from strong sun. If seed is wanted from Cinerarias, the best 

 kinds only should be kept — named kinds should be kept growing to 

 get cuttings from. Young early plants should be kept cool, and not 

 exposed to much sun. Liliums should be regularly staked as they 

 grow, and abundance of water given. Auriculas will now require to 

 be kept from heavy rains. Pinks, Picotees, &c., in pots, will require 

 attention with stakes, surface-stirring, &c. ; a damp unhealthy atmo- 

 sphere would soon destroy them. Window plants will now be growing 

 freely, and will require plentj?- of water, sprinkling them overhead to 

 wash off dust, fresh surfacing as the soil gets exhausted. Prepared 

 manures are excellent for this kind of gardening. M. T. 



NOTES OlSr AUTUMN AND WINTER ' 



FLOWERING PLANTS. 



(Continued from page 223.) 

 MIGNONETTE. 



To have Mignonette in flower all through the winter adds greatly 

 to the charms of the cut-flower basket; and when in handsome 

 plants, intermixed among other things in the conservatory, sending 

 out their fragrance, it forms a feature which is enjoyed by all. To 

 have the plants in bloom by the month of November, the seed should 

 be sown about the end of March. We use both pots and seed-pans. 

 If sown in pans, the strongest plants can be selected, but we find little 

 difference between the two ways. If sown in pots, about the 3-inch 

 size will be large enough to begin with, having them perfectly clean 

 and well drained, wdth a little moss on the top of the crocks ; sprink- 



