46 TEE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



two, are emitted by the cutting, the poor little thing is at once 

 exposed to the crippling effect of a cold wind, or the enervating 

 influence of a scorchiug sun. 



The end of May is the usual time for transplanting to the open 

 ground, as in ordinary seasons all danger of frost has passed away, 

 and unless the weather is particularly serene and genial, the plants 

 should be protected by handlights or some other contrivance until 

 they have become re-established. We have been thus minute over 

 the first part of their culture, because we believe that very much 

 depends on how they are then managed, not but that a great deal less 

 trouble will suffice when merely grown for ornamenting the borders ; 

 so that plants can be had at the desired time, being sufficient for 

 that purpose ; but we are now writing of the treatment of such as 

 are cultivated for exhibiting, or the production of the very finest 

 flowers. We have indeed seen it printed that to take off cuttings, 

 or incur the trouble of starting the roots at all, was quite needless ; 

 that merely planting the tubers in the open ground in April was 

 sufficient, or even to treat them as annuals, by sowing for the supply 

 every season ; and perhaps this is enough in some places, but the 

 results of such a system must only be viewed at a distance, as fine 

 flowers cannot be expected. 



When the plants have attained the height of a foot, stakes 

 should be placed to them, that they may not receive injury from the 

 wind ; and as they grow, attention should be given to the removal of 

 all superfluous shoots that may spring from the bottom, and it is also 

 desirable to thin the flowering branches near the top of the stem 

 before they become large, tying out those which are allowed to 

 remain, that light and air may be admitted to the interior of the 

 plants ; this will occupy the greater part of the summer, and in 

 August the first flowers may be expected, from which time unceasing 

 attention will be required to the thinning of the blossom buds, 

 tying and loosening of ties, watering, trapping of insects, and 

 shading the flowers. The first-mentioned operation should be per- 

 formed when and wherever a more promising bud than usual makes 

 its appearance, allowing the whole energy of the branch from which 

 it springs to be devoted to its sole use, as any rivalry between two 

 or more flowers is sure to terminate in disadvantage to the whole of 

 them ; indeed, it is sometimes found desirable to reduce the number 

 over the entire plant, in order to give strength and size to the 

 remaining flowers. Watering is an important aid at this period, 

 and must not be neglected ; to save a considerable amount of trouble 

 it is advisable to cover the ground, for the space of a couple of feet 

 round each plant, with halt-rotten dung, or other mulch ; this keeps 

 the earth from drying rapidly, and, by being watered over, causes a 

 genial damp atmosphere near them, besides the advantage gained 

 from the particles of manure which wash downwards to the roots ; 

 once a week diluted liquid manure should be applied, and in this 

 and all other waterings it is better to give a thorough soaking, even 

 at some distance of time between, than to apply small quantities 

 ever so frequently. 



The depredation of insects is a constant source of annoyance 



