I873-] FLORIST FLOWERS. 125 



ever permitting the plants to get pot-bound, and that they be strictly watched 

 and covered at night from frost after being planted out. Instead of planting 

 3 feet both ways, as recommended for seedlings, allow 3 feet between 

 plants in the rows, and 4 feet between the rows. Mulch the beds with 

 manure in June, and by every means encourage vigorous growth. Earwigs 

 should be hunted and kept under, as advised in last month's number of the 

 ' Gardener ' in treating of Dahlias. The weaker sorts of named kinds are 

 more subject to the attacks of red-spider than seedlings ; and in again referring 

 to this pest, allow me to make mention of a very completely constructed syringe, 

 which 1 saw in the possession of my friend Mr Marshall, of Kingston Grange — 

 a most enthusiastic and successful cultivator of the Hollyhock. This syringe 

 is of the usual form, with the additional appendage of a swan-neck tube, 

 .attached by a screw exactly the same as that of the different roses. It can be 

 removed at pleasure, and a rose fitted on in its stead. The other end of the 

 tube has a receptacle furnished also with a screw^ to fit those of the roses. "The 

 object of this addition to the syringe is the more readily to apply the water 

 underneath the leaves, where the enemy does most mischief. Mr M. disagrees 

 with the practice of syringing overhead. One stem to a i)lant is sufficient, and 

 all others carefully remove ; but the one left should not be altogether dismem- 

 bered of its side shoots, l)ut these ought to be pinched back to the second eye — 

 not, let it be observed, after those laterals have been permitted to make strong 

 lengthy growth, but before. 



"Top over" the spikes at from 7 to 9 feet, according to their strength, 

 and thin out the flowers, leaving no more than are sufficient to cover the spike 

 and protect those spikes intended for exhibition from the weather. A good 

 plan to adopt is to fix a narrow hoop to the upright stake which supports the 

 plant, bringing the hoop over, or making it to encircle the stem ; another similar 

 hoop is fixed at the top of the plant, then laths are stretched and fixed to both 

 hoops : this makes a substantial frame for the coverings of hexagon netting, or 

 any other light material. 



The following varieties are all first-rate, and no one need scruple to choose 

 from them ; all that they require to consider is the colours : — 



NEW SORTS. 



John Stewart, deep rose, flowers large and perfect. Mrs James Laing, bright 

 rose, handsome form, good spike. Mrs Laing, rose lilac, one of the foremost. 

 Perfection, white suffused with salmon, great flowers, most perfect in form. 

 War Eagle, glossy black, the most perfect and darkest of its class. David 

 Lowe, pale rose and crimson, splendid both in individual flower and sj>ike. 

 John Gair, rosy peach suffused with crimson, fine flower and grand si)ike. 

 }|. T. Mackintosh, rich rose crimson, very constant, extra. 



CHOICE OLDER SORTS. 



Andro Signet, pure white; perfect in form, extra good substance, the first of 

 white flowers. Fredgater, pale yellow, early and cons,tunt. Her Majesty, 

 white, delicately-shaded pink, which is most present in dull weather. Ida, buff 

 suffused and touched with rose, good flowers but indifferent spike. Invincible, 

 rose with touches of deep salmon, extra. John Tweedie, a good variety of the 

 rose crimson type. James M'Indoe, like the former, but better spike. James 

 Whitton, lively rose crimson. Lord Stanley, deep ruby crimson, of the finest 

 form in flower, grand spike. Lady Eokeby, rose blush, splendid spike, and 

 flowers the first of the be^. Lady Cliefden, rose crimson, fine in the fullest 



