272 GREEN-HOUSE GERANIUMS. 



ther. If the plant is very thick, the oldest branches may be 

 thinned out, but do not cut out any of the young shoots, as 

 they contain the embryo of the flower. Lagcrstroemias 

 will flower abundantly without pruning, but, to have fine 

 large spikes of flowers, cut in the wood of last year to 

 about three eyes from the wood of the preceding year : by 

 this they will be much finer. Pomegranates will only re- 

 quire a little of the superfluous wood cut out. Perhaps 

 some of them may be desired to flower in pot or tubs dur- 

 ing summer : the balls will admit of being much reduced, 

 and by this a pot or tub very little larger will do for them. 

 Do not give much water until they begin to grow. 



MYRTLES AND OLEANDERS. 



If any of these have grown irregularly, and are not head- 

 ed down or otherwise pruned, as directed last month, it 

 should now be done. Oleanders are very subject to the 

 white scaly insect, and, before the heat of summer begins, 

 they should be completely cleansed. This insect is like- 

 wise found on Myrtles, which are worse to clean, and ought 

 to be minutely examined twice every year. We have ob- 

 served the red spider on these shrubs, which makes the 

 foliage brown and unsightly. If it is detected in time, 

 syringing is an effectual remedy. 



GERANIUMS. 



These will now begin to flower, and the sun will greatly 

 deteriorate their rich colours where they are near the glass 

 with a southern aspect. The glass should be white-washed, 

 or covered with thin muslin, which will cast a light shade 

 over them, and prolong the duration of the bloom; but if they 

 are above five feet from the glass, shading is not requisite. 

 The strong kinds will be growing very luxuriantly, and 

 require liberal supplies of water. When syringing, do 

 not sprinkle the flowers, as it would make the colours in- 

 termingle with each other, and cause them to decay pre- 

 maturely. If they have been properly attended to in that 



