1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 159 



Marigold (French and African), Saponaria Calabrica, Rhodanthe Man- 

 glesii, Humea elegans (for large plants), may be sown in a frame at 

 once, using fine light soil, and covering the small seeds very slightly. 

 These are all useful for decorating borders, &c, and can be procured 

 and grown where ordinary bedding-plants cannot be kept easily through 

 the winter ; timely attention, when the plants are fit to handle, should 

 be given to get them pricked out before they become matted ; a small 

 panful of each will fill a large space when well managed. Cockscombs, 

 Balsams, Globe Amaranthus, and similar plants, to be grown in pots 

 for decorating glass structures, may be sown now in a little heat ; a 

 close temperature will ruin the young plants. To have them sturdy 

 and vigorous, they require plenty of light and air, as well as a little 

 bottom heat. Use tepid water for every plant when in heat, even 

 although they are of a very hardy nature. 



Every border and lawn should now have a clean fresh appearance. 

 Grass seeds sown now will start into growth freely, but birds must be 

 kept off, or weeds may only appear, and the vendor of the grass seeds be 

 blamed for supplying a spurious article. Be it remembered that where 

 grass does not occupy the ground, weeds of the worst kind will speedily 

 show themselves. Dustings of guano and soot in showery weather 

 will strengthen the growth of weakly grass. All grass edgings may 

 now be neatly pared, taking care not to unnecessarily reduce the turf 

 edgings, as when narrow they are mean in appearance, and more diffi- 

 cult to keep tidy. 



Pot Carnation and Picotees, if they are to be flowered in pots, and 

 plant out those to be flowered in the borders ; fresh sandy loam, with 

 a little decayed cow-dung in it, suits them well. Take care of bedding 

 plants, which may be hardening off to be turned out next month ; 

 doing it gradually will be the safest way, as sudden changes are very 

 injurious. Dahlias, being tender, will stand very little cold wind. 

 Chrysanthemums growing in small pots should be shifted into larger 

 sizes, as the pots become filled with roots. It is now a good time to 

 take off cuttings for small specimens, or to divide large plants, which 

 is an easy method of growing them for decorating either greenhouse 

 or sheltered borders. In the north they seldom come in early enough 

 for outside work. Ranunculus, and all other tuberous or bulbous 

 plants coming through the ground, should have the surface soil well 

 broken, and a little earth slightly pressed to each stem. Protection 

 from frost (even for those which are hardy) will be of great service in 

 securing a good bloom. Pansies for bedding may be planted out in 

 rich cool soil. Violas Cornuta, Alba, Lutea, and Amcena, are excel- 

 lent on deep rich soil ; and being so hardy, they are easily managed. 

 All the hardier bedding plants may be planted out soon. All plants 



