1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 29 



anything that will harbour insects. Repairs, where practicable, should 

 be made on walls, filling up all holes, leaving no quarters for insects 

 of any description. A good syringing with soap-suds will help to de- 

 stroy eggs of insects. Some syringe finely infrosty weather, allowing it 

 to freeze into solid ice. 



411 kinds of bulbs, however hardy they may be, should be protected 

 from severe frost. Ranunculuses to be grown for summer decoration 

 should be planted soon. When weather will permit, the beds should 

 be well prepared with manure, and the soil well turned up to sweeten. 

 Some use entirely fresh soil for these plants, renewing the beds yearly; 

 and, to do them well for exhibition, extra cultivation is necessary. 

 We at one time grew these plants extensively ; and to have them late, 

 we planted the roots in March, in soil well-worked and enriched with 

 cow-dung. Carnations and Pinks which are' in pots under protection 

 require little or no water at this season, and all the air that can pos- 

 sibly be given. Surfaces should be kept clean, stirring the soil occa- 

 sionally, and nothing allowed near the plants that would harbour 

 damp. Auriculas under protection must be also kindly dealt with : 

 they are so impatient of stagnant moisture, and enjoy abundance of 

 fresh dry air. No decaying leaves or moss-covered surfaces should be 

 tolerated ; and, like all hardy plants when growing in pots, they 

 should be kept free from frost. Chrysanthemums, when done flower- 

 ing, should be plunged in coal-ashes, and the tops kept from frost. 

 Though they are hardy, good cuttings and suckers are easily secured 

 when protection is afforded. All " bedding " and other plants should 

 have air when it can be safely given. Water should be given in a tepid 

 state, choosing, if possible, sunny mornings to apply it, so that the 

 structures may dry up quickly; but where fire-heat is not at command, 

 it is better to err on the dry side at this season. Lily of the Valley, 

 Roses, Lilacs, Bulbs, and all kinds of plants which are forced at this 

 season, should be brought on gently; and when to be placed in cooler 

 quarters to flower, currents of frosty air should be avoided, as they are 

 very tender when coming from heat. Shrubs and ornamental trees 

 should have timely attention after snow has fallen, as serious injury 

 might be done if the snow is not shaken off. Dead wood may be 

 cleared out, and everything done to enliven the pleasure-garden at this 

 dull season. Stunted shrubs may be helped with surface-dressings of 

 rich material. We apply manure liberally to all kinds of ConiferaB, 

 especially to Araucarias and Wellingtonias. A number of Araucarias 

 here, growing on a sandy bank, have had quantities of manure of late 

 years, which has told wonderfully on their growth. We have lately 

 given each tree three loads of dung and three loads of earth. 



M. T, 



