editor's table. 



ootitiimp<lrvRTid rlenr. Tliifl is indopondentof tli<^ daily sprinkling ncceswary on the floorand 

 paths of flu' house, to cliargo the atniosphcrt! with nioisturo. Air rt^crulariy, but gradually ; 

 notiiinL; can he nion^ injurious than sudiii-n checks, ])nMUiffd by a liasty oj»ening of the 

 wntilafors ; a fearful source of mildew. Towards tlu^ end of the month leave the toj) saslies 

 open all night, and allow the temperature to lluctuate in a similar maimer as the external 

 attnosphere. There is no climate in the world where the temperature is constantly the 

 same. Disbudding, and tying up the young shoots, will be the j)rincipal requirements. A 

 slight syringing when in flower, helps to thin, or, rather, luevents the thick sotting of the 

 berries ; of course, it must \w done cautiously. 



GuEE.vHoi'SE. — The top sashes may now be lowered day and night, unless heavy rains, or 

 very strong winds prevail. Shading will now be requisite. An awning mounted on rollers 

 is the most complete method. Washing the glass with whitewash, or painting with boiled 

 oil and litharge, saves trouble, but the continued slK'id<^ is not always desirable. The syringe 

 may be used freely in distributing water over the house, and also those j)lants not in flower, 

 (.itiard against currents of dry air sweeping over the i)lants, by ventilating oidy by the top 

 openings. A shaded, moist atmosphere is most congenial to the majority of summer flowering 

 plants. 



Pelargoniums will still be flowering ; pick off all decayed flowers, and gradually withhold 

 water as they cease growing. Save seed from the best varieties. They ripen seed most 

 perfectly out of doors, in a full exposure to sun. 



Camellias and Azaleas may be withdrawn from the house as they finish growth ; plunge 

 the pots in tan bark or ashes. Greenhouse jdants are much injured by exposing the pots 

 to sun and wind. 



Heaths. — Epacrises, and similar hard-wooded kinds, are better in the house during the 

 summer months, unless under skilful management. The great point is to get the growths 

 properly hardened and fitted for thorough exposure ; then they will stand the fiercest sun 

 witliout injury. In their natural habitats, they are subjected for months to parching sun 

 and intense aridity. The nearer we can imitate nature, the more likelihood of success. Young 

 plants may be kept in a steady growing condition, by repotting when necessary, and keep- 

 ing them in a moist shady position. 



C'ac^/« will require liberal wateringwhile making growth ; see that the soil is well drained. 



Achemenes, Gloxinias, Clerodendrons, Begonias, Fuchsias, and other plants, for summer 

 blooming, should be repotted as they require it, and attend in time to staking, pinching the 

 shoots, &c., to form well-shaped plants. There is no beauty in plants that are grown tall 

 and weak, and no surer indication of unskilful management. 



Flower Garden. — Dahlias, heliotropes, balsams, and other tender plants, should be left 

 under cover until the middle of the month. The hardier kinds may be planted out at once. 

 In planting geometrical flower gardens, it has been usual to fill each bed with a separate 

 kind of plant. When properly carried out, the effect is good. Where the beds are irregu- 

 lar, a better eifect is produced by introducing several species, for instance a centre of scarlet 

 pelargoniums may be surrounded with white verbenas. Blue salvias and the yellow (Eon- 

 thera, heliotropes, and petunias, form good combinations. Beds of white roses are height- 

 ened in beauty when carpeted with scarlet verbenas. Much taste may be displayed in 

 contrasting colors, and arranging plants with reference to height, shape, and color. These 

 mental preliminaries should receive attention, and be decided upon previous to commencing 

 active operations. Chrysanthemum cuttings may be rooted readily at this season ; they will 

 come into flower for greenhouse and conservatory decoration in the fall. 



Lawns must be frequently mown to look well ; rake the cut grass quite clean. A hard 

 broom will answer for small plots. In more extensive places, the patent grass or daisy rake, 

 is indispensable. Cut early in the morning, when there is copious dew, and clean up imme- 

 diately, if you wish to economize labor. A smooth, green lawn suggests rejwse and quiet ; 

 all necessary labor, in keeping, should therefore be performed in the most expeditious 

 manner. 



i'r,EAsuRE Grounds. — Evergreens may be yet planted. Tlie past winter has abridged our 

 list of hardy sorts. Euonymus Japonica is done brown ; that graceful plant, the Deodar 

 cedar has also been sorely tried. It cannot be serviceable when a permanent evergreen tree 

 is desired. We must confide in our well-tried and trustworthy friends, the Norway and 

 hemlock spruce, white pine, Bhotan pine, Scotch and Austrian firs, arbor vitse, balsam, 

 and silver firs, and the red cedar. Prune out all dead wood at once ; many plants that 

 appear hurt, have their buds uninjured, therefore it may be necessary to proceed with 

 caution until growth commences. The remarks of last month on tliis head are still 

 season. 



