270 Review of the FloricuJtural Cabinet. 



(p. 172), tliat we pass over it, and come to the planting out of the 

 roots ; for " on this and the subsequent treatment much depends the 

 success and beauty of the forthcoming bloom." 



"Tlie last wet k in May, or first in June, I consider the most safe and proper 

 titne for this work ; for it is calculated on an average of years, that there are 

 only two months in the year, viz. July and Auiinst, in which the tiiermonieter 

 is not liable daring some part of the night, to fall as low as 32°. 



"The soil intended for the rcce])tion of the plants should have been laid 

 up in riilges during the preceding winter and s|)ring, and should consist of a 

 good sandy loam, well manured with old frame dung, also well exposed to 

 the previous winter. If the loam parlakes of a heavy or saponaceous quality, 

 a tolerable i)ortion of river sand shoukl be united with it. Or well decom- 

 posed road stuff will be found of advantage to intermix with the whole; but 

 1 most distinctly wish to be understood, that although so great an advocate 

 for the use of well-neutralized manure, 1 at the same time strongly advise 

 that that use should not be indiscrinjinate or disproportionate to the quantity 

 or nature of the soils with which it is united, or it will be found to produce a 

 repletion of growth, by no meatis desirable to attain. 



" The variegated varieties should be grown in a fine sandy loam or peat, 

 nearly or wholly destiiute of manure, according to their s|)ecific natures, or 

 they will be liable to rim too much, and exliil)ii self-colored flowers; and in 

 the event of any such a[tpearing, they shoukl be taken off the plant as soon 

 as ascertained. 



" Wherever the size of the garden will admit of it, four or fiveCeet space 

 each way should be allowed between the plants, by which their health and 

 strength will be much im{)roved, and will show to far greater advantage than 

 if planted close. 



" 1 much advise that the plants, on being turned out of the pots, should not 

 be planted too near the surface. No apprehension need be entertained that 

 the lower portion of the stem of the plant then siuronnded by the soil will 

 rot, for vegetation advances rajjidly with the Dahlia, and the lower part of 

 the stem gradually attains a strong woody substance. 



"It is most important to keej) the plants regularly sup|)lied with moisture, 

 using rain or river water and a|)p!ying it gradually by means of the water- 

 pot, always after sunset; and the groimd being covered around the plants 

 with two inches deep of old dung, will much increase the brilliancy of the 

 self-colored blossoms. Be most careful to secure the plants by means of 

 proper stakes, one near the centre stem, and several round the outsides of the 

 lateral arms, tied with bass strings, to guard against the powerful effects of 

 strong winds. 



" Avoid as much as possible planting Dahlias near trees, walls or close 

 fences, or they will be drawn u)j weakly; the more airy and open the situa- 

 tion the better, and if any exhibit symjnoms of running up disproportionately, 

 or exuberant, it may be somewhat retarded by firmly treading the earth round 

 the root. 



"If planted in pots, it should be in twelves or eights, and may be trained to 

 frames. Geranium fiishion, having one strong support to the main stem of the 

 plant: and the surface of the soil should be covered with moss, or fine old 

 dung, and the pots not exposed to the full glare of the inid-day sun, or no 

 moisture can be preserved." 



The earwig is very troublesome to the English amateurs, (the 

 same, we presume, that infests the carnations,) and often their best 

 blossoms are spoiled by their depredations ; to prevent this, " pieces 

 of hollow reed, cane or dry rhubarb stem, a few inches long, inserted 

 among the stems and foliage will entrap them." 



