MAY. 



MAY. 



treating any that seem to require more 

 root room. 



Hyacinths, Tulips, <SrV. These bulbs 

 and others that show signs of fading may 

 be removed out of doors as soon as they 

 have done flowering, and the contents of | 

 the pots emptied out and placed soil and 

 all in the ground, to allow the leaves to 

 die away, and the bulbs to recover them- 

 selves for the next year. Bulbs that have 

 been flowered under glass naturally have 

 more taken out of them than if they had , 

 bloomed in the ordinary way ; but if { 

 placed in the earth as enjoined they will 

 form nice clumps for the garden, and in 

 two or three years' time recover themselves 

 and send up nice trusses of flowers. 



Pelargoniums. These, when trussing up 

 for flowering, require particular attention. 

 Tie out the shoots as far apart as possible, 

 to admit air freely to the heart of the 

 plant, keeping the pot covered to its rim 

 with foliage ; give liquid manure two or 

 three times a week, and fumigate for 

 protection from the green fly ; give all the 

 ventilation possible, and water sufficiently 

 to prevent the lower foliage losing 

 colour. 



Temperature. The temperature of the 

 greenhouse should not be lower than 45 

 or higher than 50 during the month, an 

 equality of temperature being carefully 

 maintained, as sudden fluctuations are 

 always harmful to flowers. Plants must 

 be freely watered, and sprinkling and 

 syringing the house in all parts frequently 

 resorted to, in order to keep the air moist 

 and cool. With regard to ventilation, the 

 amount of air given must always depend 

 on the temperature of the external air : for 

 example, if it be 40, the house should be 

 kept closed ; if 45, air may be admitted 

 freely; and if 50, all the ventilating 

 sashes may be put open, provided always 

 that there is no strong wind blowing at 

 the time. 



May. Hotbeds, Frames, &e., 

 Work in. 



I. FLOWERS. Annuals, Half-hardy. 

 Those intended for beds and borders should 

 now be planted out in the ground, others 

 potted or pricked out on a slight hotbed ; and 

 those pricked out last month will now be 

 fit to transplant, having been gradually 

 inured to the open air ; for this purpose 

 let them be taken up with the roots entire, 

 and carefully planted with their ball of 

 earth in the places where they are to 

 remain. Ten-week stocks, mignonette, 

 and China asters, may still be sown in a 

 bed or border of rich ground ; but a gentle 

 hotbed will bring them forward so as to 

 flower a fortnight earlier. 



Annuals, Tender. Cockscombs, bal- 

 sams, amaranths, egg plants, and others, 

 wanted early or in large plants, should now 

 be shifted to another hotbed previously 

 prepared for them, either on the surface 

 of the ground, or in a trench of the size of 

 the frame. When ready, plunge the pot 

 into the soil, cover the bottom with the 

 proper drainage, and half fill it with fresh 

 compost ; then take the plant from the 

 old pot with its ball of earth, and place it 

 in the centre, filling it in all round with 

 fresh earth to within half an inch of the 

 top, and water moderately. When the 

 lights are put on, tilt them a little for 

 ventilation, and to let the steam escape, 

 and shade from the noonday sun. As the 

 plants increase in height, raise the frame a 

 little : many expedients for doing so will 

 readily present themselves to a thinking 

 man. 



Auriculas, &c. Pits and frames that 

 have been cleared of tender and half-hardy 

 annuals, and which are otherwise unoccu- 

 pied, may be devoted to the propagation 

 of auriculas, polyanthuses, &c., from off- 

 sets taken from the old plants, or ven by 

 seeds. 



Bedding Stock. Frames are also excel- 



