.TULY.] FLOWERS. 507 



otherwise destroy the useless suckers rislnj^ about 

 the roots of many shrubs ; to hoe and clean the 

 borders, walks, and edginf:rs, as they may require, 

 and as often hinted at in the former months. 



FLOWERS. 



Carnations and Pinhs, 



The choice stage carni'lions should now be re- 

 moved from the situation they were placed in, as 

 directed in May, to the stage where tliey are to 

 iiower. Previous to placing them on the stage, let 

 the pots be properly cleaned, and stir up the sur- 

 face anew with the point of a small wedge, adjust" 

 ing the iiower stems to their sticks. 



Any of the flowe/s not opening fair, should have 

 the pod slit with a penknife, or with sliarp-pointed 

 scissars, in two or three places rouAd the, edges, and 

 a little way down, in order to aid the petals in ex- 

 panding 5 as otherwise large flowers often open in 

 an irregular manner, and so are very deficient ia 

 beauty. This care to have them break regularly, 

 must be repeated from time to time ; never slitting 

 the pod much at once, but always leaving as much 

 of the bottom part entire, as may be suiricient to 

 keep tlie petals regularly together. The pod being 

 tied . cund in the middle, with a small bit of matj 

 or gr3en v/ovsted, would keep it more correct. 



As che flowers come into full blow, and if it be 

 wisheu tc preserve their beauty and delicacy to the 

 latest, they must be shaded from the mid-day sun. 

 The stage, if a raised one, must for this purpose be 



