1873.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 355 



ders uniform. The continued use of the shears, scythe, and hoe is 

 necessary to high-keeping. A flower-garden, to be considered highly 

 kept, should always have the appearance that no work is or has been 

 going on. Few places, however, can master matters in this way. It 

 is always the best policy to keep a portion of the ground thoroughly, 

 instead of a large space only half done. If plants have been placed 

 thickly in the beds to fill up at once, they should be thinned out be- 

 fore they become matted. Prompt attention to the amenities of gar- 

 dening is most conducive to success. The alternate system of rough 

 and smooth is far too common. Dahlias should be frequently gone 

 over and fastened to their stakes ; prevent them from getting too 

 thick ; cut off flowers as they get past their best, except where seed is 

 wanted. Hollyhocks should be stripped of their decaying flowers, 

 and all bad leaves taken from the base of the plants. They should 

 have abundance of manure water. Climbing plants will be growing 

 freely, and must have attention with tying and trimming off what is 

 not wanted, but they should not be made stiff and formal looking. 

 Roses require a deal of work to keep them orderly ; suckers and de- 

 caying flowers must be kept off, and abundance of manure water, if 

 the soil is not rich and of stony texture : bud favourite sorts. Weed- 

 ing or salting of walks will now claim attention. Roll well after rain 

 — a smooth surface is very desirable, but this is impossible with some 

 kinds of gravel. Keep pods picked off Sweet Peas, to keep them vig- 

 orous. They may be topped well back when they are over-growing 

 their stakes ; give them plenty of manure water. Stake Cloves and 

 Carnations, and if very fine flowers are wanted, reduce their number 

 and water with liquid manure. Let a good stock of cuttings be put 

 in, and layers, if they have not already had attention. Cut off decay- 

 ing blooms j prevention of seeding keeps the plants vigorous. Chry- 

 santhemums will now require plenty of water ; liquid manure may be 

 given occasionally ; keep them (and all other plants) turned round to 

 the sun to maintain equal growth ; stake out in good time to keep the 

 foliage healthy and prevent crowding in the hearts. 



Propagate bedding-plants without delay. Verbenas do well at this 

 season when placed in frames in rather a shady position ; prevent flag- 

 ging of the foliage, — they will root more freely. Take young tops off 

 Fuchsias, to supply plants for next season ; those flowering require 

 liberal soakings of manure w^ater. Keep late-flowering Pelargoniums, 

 Heliotropes, Coleus, Petunias, Salvias, and all similar plants for con- 

 servatory decoration, growing freely. Let them get once pot-bound, 

 and limit their supply of water, and their value for autumn flowering 

 is at an end. Cinerarias and Primulas required for early flowering 

 should be kept in small-sized pots, and when they show flower, a 



