1873.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 219 



broken with white, striking and bold. Bridesmaid, French white, gi'eat spike, 

 novel and fine. Delicatissimum, white, tinged rose pink, grand spike of perfect 

 flowers. George Sand, reddish purple, fine. Henry King, brilliant red, throat 

 deep, white shaded red in detached streaks, fine. James Eothschild, massive, 

 widely expanded blossoms of reddish purple, with pure white throat, one of the 

 cream. Lady Boswell, has a handsome spike of rose-pink flowers, throat white, 

 with a well-defined margin of carmine rose, extra. Standstead Rival, scarlet 

 crimson, throat white, delicately pencilled, deep red, grand spike of perfect 

 flowers. W. P. Laird, pale blue, white throat, fine spike, extra. Snowdrop, 

 pure white, most distinct, should be in every collection. Rosy Gem, white 

 throat, ground colour deep rose, very pretty. A. Kerr. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— MAY. 



Disbudding of fruit-trees will now require prompt attention where 

 well-maucaged trees are desired. Go over outward-growing shoots, just 

 rubbing them off, and stop all gross growths which are likely to take 

 the lead to an undue extent ; young trees are generally more in w^ant of 

 this attention than older ones. Newly planted trees may require water 

 at the root; they may also sink in the ground and hang on their 

 fastenings ; timely attention may save much injury. Use the syringe 

 or garden engine if insects make their appearance, but not when the 

 trees are in flower. Tobacco-powder may be used Avith advantage 

 when green-fly may get among the leaves. 



Mowing and sweeping of lawns will now take up much time, and 

 whatever other labour may be expended on the grounds, badly-kept 

 grass and walks covered with weeds will overbalance all other good 

 appearances. Beds and borders to receive bedding-plants, whether as 

 hardy annuals, hardy herbaceous plants, or the ordinary bedding half- 

 hardy kinds, should be in good order by well digging or trenching the 

 soil, manure or fresh soil being given as may be necessary. Well-pre- 

 pared soil, sweetened by working it, and by frost, gives a good start 

 to plants when turned out. The hardiest things should be turned out 

 first. Calceolarias and Verbenas are hardier than Petunias, Heliotrope, 

 Coleus, Perillas, &c. The last two should be left to the last. No 

 plants which are liable to suffer from frost should be turned out before 

 the 20th of the month. Injudicious mixing and complicated shapes 

 are some of the evils which are common at the present time. Some 

 admire glaring masses, while others are strongly opposed to them. 

 Distinctness and simplicity of design are generally most telling. 

 Plants for turning out should now have plenty of air, but exposure to 

 cold drying winds is to be avoided. When planting there is nothing 

 gained by turning tlie plants into sodden soil and giving drenchings of 

 cold water. When watering is done with planting it should be poured 



