JlugitSt.~] BULBOUS ROOTS. 1 17 



shearing. The general practice in forming these is to 

 have the sides even and the top level, forming a right angle 

 on each side. However neat in appearance this may be 

 considered, it certainly is stiff and formal. We never ap- 

 prove of clipping where it can be avoided, and, when 

 adopted, nature ought to be imitated. Therefore, have all 

 hedges and edgings tapering toward the top. 



CARNATIONS AND PINKS, 



If laid about the end of June, and have been properly 

 attended, will, by the end of this month, be well rotted and 

 fit for transplanting. Clear away the earth lightly, and 

 cut them clean off from the parent plant, nearer the stool 

 than the original slit. Raise them neatly out of the earth, 

 with as many of the root-fibres as possible ; cut off the 

 naked part of the stem close to the fibrous roots, and trim 

 away the strangling leaves. Plant the finest sorts in four- 

 inch pots, and those more common, three plants in five-inch 

 pots, in the form of a triangle, which can be separated in 

 spring to plant in the garden. Any of the principal stools 

 should be (if in the ground) lifted and put into seven-inch 

 pots to be preserved : the others may be allowed to stand 

 through the winter, covering them with a few dry leaves. 

 Keep them in the shade a few weeks, when they may be 

 fully exposed. Give gentle and frequent sprinklings of 

 water until they have taken fresh root ; or, if in want of 

 pots, mark out a bed that can be covered with a frame, pre- 

 paring the soil therein properly. Plant them from four to 

 six inches apart. .Shade them from the sun until they 

 begin to grow, giving sprinklings of water over the foliage 

 every evening. 



BULBOUS ROOTS. 



Look over the bulbs that are out of the ground, and exa- 

 mine those that require planting. Of Fritillaria there are 

 about twenty species, but few of them generally cultivated, 

 except F, imperialis, Crown Imperial, and F. persica. Of 

 the former there are many very splendid varieties, such as 



