1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 305 



to swell at one time. Cucumbers, if they have fruited freely and 

 are beginning to look "rusty," may be cut back, clearing off old 

 leaves, then well surfaced with good loam and dung, thoroughly 

 watered with tepid manure - water, warmth afforded from dung or 

 otherwise, well sprinkled, and shaded from strong sun. They will 

 soon start into active growth again, and bear for a long time. 

 The same treatment may be given to Melons which have finished 

 their crop, and have their foliage in healthy condition ; but they re- 

 quire more care than Cucumbers. Decay at the necks of the plants, 

 and the attacks of red-spider, are their worst enemies. 



Young fruit-trees will require frequent looking over, for if strong 

 shoots are allowed to take the lead, the tree will be much injured ; by 

 timely stopping strong growths, a number of side-shoots will be emitted, 

 and a year's training gained. An unequally-grown tree has a bad ap- 

 pearance in a well-kept garden. Continue to stop shoots and take off 

 what are not required, doing it by degrees, as formerly advised. Pears 

 growing above the tops of walls are very unsightly : while we write 

 this, however, we have a fine wall of trees sending single shoots above 

 the coping ; they are to remain till autumn, and be trained over to the 

 other side to take the place (piecemeal) of Cherries which are doing 

 little good. Their roots are growing into a hollow T hedge, where they 

 cannot be helped in any way. Thin, trim, and regulate Annuals ; 

 Mignonette, and some of the freer-growing plants, may be cut back, 

 to keep them clear of box and grass edgings: plants growing over 

 edgings have a slovenly appearance ; besides, they kill whatever they 

 grow over. Top Sweet Peas, and keep the pods off them ; plenty of 

 manure-water will keep them long in flower. Propagate Pansies and 

 Hollyhocks by cuttings ; young shoots of the latter, taken off with 

 " heels" attached, and well attended with water and shade, will make 

 fine established plants by autumn. 



Dahlias require tying up carefully to their stakes ; any misplaced 

 shoots or useless ones may be cut out ; plenty of manure-water may be 

 given ; on heavy rich soil it is less required. Pelargoniums which are 

 well ripened in their growth may be cut down, removed to a frame 

 if at command, kept dry a few days, then well sprinkled with water, 

 and shut up with sun-heat: when growth makes its appearance, plenty 

 of air and light should be given, and when they are half an inch or so 

 long, the old plants may be shifted out of their flowering-pots, reduced 

 at the roots, potted into smaller pots, using sandy loam. When the 

 pots are well filled with roots, a liberal shift of rich loam and a little 

 sand should be given, be carefully watered, and no damp and unhealthy 

 atmosphere harboured among them — these are the principal requirements 

 of this plant. Green-fly delights in feasting among the young shoots. 



17 



