98 PRESENV-DAY GARDENING 



quantity is taken out refill with water. When the liquid has 

 lost its colour or become very pale, remove the bag of 

 manure and replace with a fresh one. 



Mulching the surface of the ground will be highly 

 beneficial, and save excessive watering. Partially decayed 

 stable manure is the best material for the purpose, and it 

 should be spread over the surface in sufficient quantities to 

 form a 3-inch layer. This will prevent the rapid evapora- 

 tion of the moisture from the soil, and render it possible to 

 attend to the plants with comfort whether the soil is dry 

 or wet from rains or heavy waterings. 



DISBUDDING AND SHADING 



Flower buds will commence to make their appearance 

 at a comparatively early stage, and it is important in the 

 case of plants intended for the production of exhibition 

 blooms that they should not have their energies taxed with 

 flowers that will serve no useful purpose. Buds that 

 appear soon after the plants become established should be 

 removed in accordance with the directions already given. 

 The earlier of the second set of buds should also be re- 

 moved, unless the district is a late one, or the blooms are 

 required for early shows. Unless early blooms are re- 

 quired, take out the centre or leading bud of each branch ; 

 when this is done the secondary branches or growths will 

 commence to show buds, and generally speaking it will be 

 from these that the blooms for the September exhibitions 

 will be obtained. These should be thinned to one to each 

 sub-branch, the central or leading bud remaining, and the 

 laterals, with their buds that are produced from the two or 



