120 MISCELLANY OP NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 



Floral Operations for May. 



Tender or Stove Annuals. — When it is desired to have some plants to 

 bloom late in autumn, as Balsams, Cockscombs, Browallis, &c, seeds should 

 now be sown, and the plants potted off into small sized pots, as soon as they are 

 large enough, using a rich soil. 



Greenhouse. — During the early part of May a few frosty nights generally 

 occur; in consequence of which, it is advisable not to take out the general stock 

 of plants before the middle of the month, or even, in cold situations, before the 

 25th. Whilst the plants, however, remain in the greenhouse let them have all 

 the air that can be given during the day, and at nights, if no appearance of frost. 

 Particular attention will now be required to afford an ample supply of water to 

 free growing kinds of plants. Frequently syringe them over the tops at evening 

 just before sunset. If any of the plants be attacked with green fly, or any other 

 similar insects, apply a sprinkling of tobacco water, diluted with water, by adding 

 to one quart of the liquid five of water; in applying which to the plants, syringe 

 them at the under as well as upper surface of the leaves: a repetition will rarely 

 be required. This mode of destroying the insects is far preferable to fumigation, 

 no injury being sustained by it even if applied in a pure state. The liquid can 

 be obtained of tobacconists at 10W. or 1*. per gallon. Inarching Orange or 

 Lemon trees may still be performed. Pelargoniums must be encouraged (see 

 Articles upon). Ericas, strike cuttings this month, if the young shoots be firm 

 enough. It is a good time for increasing most other plants by cuttings, striking 

 in moist heat. Greenhouse Annuals, as Salpiglossises, Globe Amaranthuses, 

 Balsams, &c, should be encouraged by a little warmth, and shifted into larger 

 pots, early in the month, so that the plants may make a show, to succeed the 

 removal of the general collection of greenhouse plants. Cuttings or suckers of 

 Chrysanthemums should now be taken off, if not done before. Achimenes 

 coccinea, longiflora, rosea, &c. plants should be potted singly into a light rich 

 soil, and be forwarded in the stove, and repotted as they advance in growth, 

 not too much at a time, but as root room appears necessary. Lobelias for the 

 greenhouse should be similarly treated as to potting. &c. Seeds of greenhouse 

 plants may still be sown. Repot any plants which require it, and not defer to 

 any general potting, as is often done to the great injury of particular ones re- 

 quiring it at present. Camellias now making their growth should be duly 

 encouraged (see Articles in former volumes). Calceolarias be encouraged (see 

 Articles in former volumes). 



Flower Garden. — Continue to protect beds of Hyacinths, Tulips, &c. Car- 

 nations in pots should be encouraged by manure water, &c, in order to grow 

 them vigorously; care in striking them will be required. By the middle of the 

 month, half hardy annuals, as China Asters^ Marigolds, &c, may be planted 

 out in the open borders. Some of the best kinds may be potted, as done to the 

 more tender sorts. Many kinds of greenhouse plants, as Petunias, Salpigh.s- 

 sises, Salvias, Fuchsias, Heliotropes, &c, should now be planted out in the open 

 border. Dahlias that have been forwarded in pots, frames. &c, may be planted 

 out towards the end of the month. Seedlings may be pricked out in a warm 

 situation, having a deep, fresh, rich soil. When Stocks, Mignonette, China 

 Asters, &c, are wished to bloom late in the year, seeds may now be sown, either 

 under a frame or on a warm boftler. Slips of double Wallflowers should now 

 be put in under a hand-glass. Seeds of biennials, as Sweet Williams, Scabious, 

 Campions, &c, should now be sown. Tuberoses, for late flowering, should now 

 be planted, either in pots or warm borders. Offsets of Campanula pyramidalis 

 should be planted, in rich soil, and placed in the greenhouse. Repotting must 

 be continued till they cease to grow ; by this means the plants will reach eight 

 feet high, and be very branching. Double Rockets, pinch off leads of some 

 plants to induce the production of laterals for future years supply. 



In every previous Volume there are articles upon the Auriculas, Polyanthus, 

 Carnations, Ranunculuses, Anemones, Tulips, Violets, Pinks, Heartsease, &c. 

 We refer our readers to them, as affording directions and precautions valuable, 

 especially at this early part of the season. 



