FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. 119 



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 this 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 increa.se, 

 and turn them out into the open ground where they are partially 

 shaded. Dahlias. — The third 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 favour- 

 able air possible, in order to have them hardy when turned out. 

 Fuchsias. — Repot and trim all the plants required for specimens ; 

 encourage their growth by frequently syringing them over-head, 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 the side shoots much finer blooms may be had. In 

 the 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 generally 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 the plant. Ra?iunculuses. — 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, prefer- 

 ing evening for the operation. Tulips. — The top cloth should at 

 once be got on, to protect from storms of heavy rain and hail, and 

 never let the sun reach the flowers after they show colour, but give all 

 the air possible. 



IN THE FORCING FRAME. 

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

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

 the greenhouse, such as Achimenes, Gloxinias, Gesnerias, &c, should 

 be grown here and brought forward as rapidly as practicable. What 

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

 Khodanthe, &c, Thunbergias, &c, should be got on quickly. A 

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

 gether with bottom heat, are inseparable necessaries to their successful 

 cultivation. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE, <&.c. 

 A free ventilation is of importance, and by closing with a humid 

 atmosphere early in the evening a vigorous growth will be best pro- 

 moted. Give liberal shifts to such plants as now require it before the 



