FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTil. 119 



beds; therefore, if not already done, no time should be lost in pro- 

 curing such as may be desired. Auriculas. — The blooming season of 

 these favourites is now nearly over, and their growth commencing ; 

 they should therefore be immediately repotted, so that they may receive 

 the benefit of additional stimulant, and thus more vigorous and much 

 stronger plants will be obtained than if the' potting is deferred until 

 autumn. Carnations and Picotees are by tiiis time in their blooming 

 pots ; and as they advance in growth, attention will be necessary to 

 stick and tie them up neatly. Stir up the surface soil of the pots, and 

 add a dressing of mixed loam and well-decayed dung. Cinerarias. — 

 As these go out of bloom cut down the stems, which will induce an 

 abundance of shoots for increase. Dahlias. — The last week in the 

 month is as early as it is safe to commence planting out. The young 

 plants will be greatly strengthened by repotting them into larger pots, 

 giving all the favourable air possible, in order to have them hardy 

 when turned out. Fuchsias. — Repot and trim all the plants required 

 for specimens ; encoui-age tlieir growth by frequently syringing them 

 over-iiead, and take care immediately to stop such shoots as are of too 

 redundant growth, so as to preserve the plant uniform. Pansies. — 

 Cuttings put in last month, as directed, may now be planted in a shady 

 bed, for summer blooming. Copious watering in dry weather will be 

 necessary. Such as are grown in pots, for show, require particular 

 attention, and by thinning out tiie side shoots mucli finer blooms may 

 be had. In tiie seed-bed, any promising varieties should have a little 

 dung placed around them, and watered occasionally, to promote their 

 growth. Pelargoniums. — Such as have not been stopped back will 

 now be coming into bloom. Keep them free from the green fly, by 

 fumigating, washing them afterwards. Pinks. — As the blooming 

 stems advance, they will require thinning out. Such as are not gene- 

 rally inclined to burst their pods may have all the stems but one 

 removed. The more robust and very double kinds should have two 

 or three stems left, according to the strength of tiie plant. Manun- 

 culuses. — If dry weather sets in, water must be liberally supplied ; 

 apply it between the roots, and not over the foliage, and use rain-water 

 if possible, preferring evening for the operation. Tulips. — The top 

 cloth should at once be got on, to protect from storms of heavy rain 

 and iiail, and never let the sun reach the flowers after they show colour, 

 but give all the air possible. 



IN THE FORCING FEAME. 

 Continue to strike cuttings of stove and greenhouse plants, and pot 

 off such £is are struck. Plants intended to be flowering specimens for 

 the greenhouse, sucli as Achimenes, Gloxinias, Gesnerias, &c., should 

 be grown here and biougiit forward as rapidly as practicable. Wliat 

 are termed greenhouse animals, as Balsams, Cockscombs, Salpiglossis, 

 Rhodanthe, &c. ; Thunbergias, &c., should be got on quickly. A 

 strong stimulating soil, copious waterings, and ample pot room, to- 

 getiier with bottom heat, are inseparable necessaries to their successful 

 cultivation. 



