352 THE FLOKAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



a groove, and covered with an iron grating even with the floor of the house. 

 Connect two pipes with the flow from the boiler, by means of a syphon bend, 

 carried past the door into the garden, along the front, round by the door leading 

 from the drawing-room, and then along the back into the boiler by meana of 

 a syphon bend connected with the return pipe. 



Rhododendrons. — C. Nash. — Small plants of Rhododendrons to be planted 

 in masses, should have about a six-inch space between the circumference of their 

 leaves. This space they will cover in the next year's growth ; and the sun will 

 thus be screened from their roots, and they will flourish. 



Gun-barrel Budding.— Job. — In this method of budding, the incision is 

 made on the stem instead of on the branch of the stock ; and the stem, being 

 stouter, will take a larger shield, and hence, buds for this sort of work must be cut 

 from plump shoots. The incision should be made in the form of T. This is no 

 cross cut below. 



Large Geraniums. — J. B. Parsons. — We should advise you to pot your 

 large geranium in as small a pot as its roots will go into, and keep it indoors at 

 a window. If you have not window space, it might be saved by putting a piece 

 of canvas round the roots, removing all the leaves, and then slinging it up in 

 some dry place. Or it might be kept in a pot out of doors all the winter in a 

 sheltered place, except during heavy rains and frost, and at such times it would 

 not perish if put in a cellar for a week or so at a time. 



Lobelia Fulgens. — Captain C. — If your plants are in the open ground, take 

 them up and pot them in good compost, with plenty of drainage. Keep them in 

 a pit or greenhouse all the winter. They must never go quite dry, as they are 

 marsh-growing plants. In spring, when they begin to grow, divide them, and 

 pot afresh in very rich compost, and encourage growth with extra warmth and 

 moisture, and either shift as they require it, or turn them out in rich soil in June. 

 Climbing Roses. — S. Parker. — All climbing roses should be cut down close 

 in February, so as to obtain a new and strong growth from the stove every year, 

 for the first three years after planting. They will throw up stronger and plumper 

 shoots every time. After the third year the growth need only be regulated by 

 cutting out their weak spray, and occasionally removing an entire rod to make 

 room for a new one. Lay on plenty of manure at pruning time, and fork a little 

 in about the roots. 



Rochea Falcata. — J. W., Brentwood. — Rochea falcata requires a warm green- 

 house. Soil, broken bricks, sandy peat, and dung, equal parts ; plenty of water, 

 and the full sun, ail the summer, and not a drop of water all the winter. 



Manure poe Old Garden. — K. Z. — Lime is an excellent reviver for old 

 gjrden soils. It kills vermin destroys sour humus, and supplies the salts that 

 are most deficient, and will do something to eradicate clubs. Fifty bushels per 

 acre may be used on an old garden loam of the ordinary staple ; or, if clay, not 

 less than seventy bushels per acre. It cannot be used too fresh from the kiln, 

 and should be dug in rough the first time without breaking, and but a small 

 quantity should be spread at a time, as it quickly slackens, and then loses much 

 of its power in exerting an influence on the soil. After the ground has been laid 

 up some weeks, it should be occasionally turned, and in spring, before planting 

 commences, have another dressing of twenty-five bushels of salt per acre. At the 

 second digging, the lumps of lime will be found to be soft and friable, and will 

 mis then with the soil more freely than at first. 



Old Geraniums. — C. Webb.— Take them up. If you cannot pot them, plant 

 them in boxes, using poor gritty soil or sand, and place them anywhere in the 

 light and safe from frost, and give only as much water a3 will keep them alive. 

 They may be planted in a Irame, provided there is a dry bottom. If the position 

 is damp, you may lose them all. 



Fern Collecting. — J. Turner. — " The Fern Garden," by Mr. Shirley Hib- 

 berd, will suit you. It sells at 3s. 6d., and any bookseller will procure it for you. 

 Objectionable View. — 0. B. L. — We should advise yoa to block out the view 

 by planting under the trees, privet, Taxus, canadensis, red logwood, and common 

 green holly. In front, if there is anything like an open space, plant aucubas, 

 variegated hollies, common juniper, and Chinese privet, which will bear partial 

 shade well, but are not so well adapted for being completely shaded as those just 

 mentioned. 



