FLORAL, OPERATIONS FOR THK MONTH. 7l 



exposed to sun and air, the parts will soon dry and heal. A\o\A frosty 

 air getting to the wound by exposure. If by any casualty they get 

 frozen, then, early in the morning, sprinkle the tops over with cold 

 water, and keep them covered over for an hour or so before they be 

 exposed, as the sun must not be allowed to shine upon them until the 

 frost is all out. Carnations and Picotees may, at the end of the 

 month, receive their final shifting. The pots known as No. 12's are 

 the size usually employed. In potting, place at the bottom two inches 

 deep of crocks, to give free drainage. Use a compost — which is best 

 if it has been previously prepared and become well incorporated 

 together — of these proportions: two barrows full of fresh yellow loam, 

 tiiree of well-rotted horse-dung, and half a barrowful of river sand, 

 well mixed ; plant in it without sifting, by breaking very well with the 

 spade. Place the plants in a sheltered situation out of doors, and let 

 them be carefully looked after. All those not required for potting 

 plant out in rows in a bed, each plant being a foot apart in the rows, 

 and two feet from row to row. Where frost has disturbed the roots of 

 Panseys in beds, they should be pressed into their places, and a top- 

 dressing of rich mould given to tiiem, all over the bed. They must be 

 screened from cutiing winds by fir, yew, or whin branches. In forming 

 new beds the situation must be where there is the benefit of free air. 

 Plants in pots, under glass, will require shifting into larger sizes, for 

 as this is the period when they begin to grow, they will soon become 

 weak, and bloom out of character, if confined in small pots. If beds 

 of Pinks were not planted in autunm, early in this month they may be. 

 In removing the plants, whether out of pots or open ground, be careful 

 to retain all the ball of roots, and as uninjured as possible. Protect 

 beds from cold easterly winds. Hyacinths in beds ought to have pro- 

 tection from sharp frosts, and on fine days the surface soil should be 

 stirred over occasionally. To have Roses bloom late in the season, 

 now cut off the shoots to below where the new buds have puslied. 



IN THE rOECING STOVE. 



Sow seeds of any tender and half-hardy annuals that have been 

 omitted. Sow liberally of Cinerarias and Chinese Primroses, for if 

 the plants be properly attended to, they will produce a fine bloom for 

 autumn. In watering tender annuals, &c., it must not be over the 

 tops, or many of the sorts will be rotted by it. The best method is to 

 flood over the surface of each pot, always using tepid water. Annuals 

 sown in frames — Cockscotnbs, Balsams, Thunbergius, &c. — if large 

 enough to pot, should be in 60-sized pots. 



Sow seeds of Dahlias, Fuchsias, Petunias, Verbenas, &c., as soon 

 as possible ; cover them lightly with fine sandy soil, and press the 

 surface smooth with a piece of flat board. Seeds of most greenhouse 

 plants will do well if sown now. Dahlia shoots, when about three 

 inches long, should be taken oflT, cut close under a joint, and be struck 

 in sand. Re-pot and forward Amaryllises, Gesnerins, &c., as directed 

 last month. Ipomeas, jBchites, and similar plants, may be trimmed 

 in, disrooted when necessary, and brought here to excite early growth. 



