June July 



or they can be put into beds for the summer, from which they will 

 lift for potting again just as the handsome berries are turning colour. 

 The spiny-leaved varieties are valuable for sub-tropical gardening. 

 Small plants are of little worth, hence they should be put into very 

 rich soil, with a thick layer of manure on the surface, and have 

 copious supplies of water to induce free growth. 



Stock, Brompton. Magnificent spikes of this flower may be 

 seen in May and June, even in cottagers' gardens. Seed is some- 

 times sown where the plants are to flower, but a certain degree of 

 risk attends this mode of procedure, and the plant is so valuable that 

 it is worth more careful treatment. Either now or in July sow in 

 pans, and place them under shelter until the Stocks are an inch high ; 

 then stand them in the open for a week before planting out. 



Tobacco. To expose Tobacco plants before warm weather is 

 established will give them a check from which they may not recover 

 until the summer is half over, if they recover at all. Spare frames 

 with movable lights will prepare them admirably and save labour. 

 The second week of this month is generally warm enough for the 

 planting ; and they must have a very rich soil, and abundance of 

 water in dry weather. A heavy mulch of decayed manure will supply 

 them with food and check evaporation. 



Wallflower. There is still ample time to sow seed. Follow 

 the instructions given under May. 



Zinnia. The first week of June is about the right time to bed 

 Zinnias, and there are three facts to be borne in mind concerning 

 them. They do not transplant well, and therefore a showery day 

 should, if possible, be selected for moving them. In the absence of 

 rain, be liberal with water. They are very brittle, and should have 

 a position somewhat sheltered from the full force of the wind ; and 

 as they revel in sunshine, the more roasting the season the finer will 

 be the flowers. 



JULY 



Antirrhinum. A sowing in drills will supply plants for flowering 

 next year. Transfer direct from the seed-bed to the positions where 

 they are intended to bloom. 



Begonia, Tuberous-rooted. Seedlings raised now will be- 

 come established before winter, and commence flowering in spring, 



357 



