JUNEJUL Y 347 



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. The first is that 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. The second fact is that Zin- 

 nias are very brittle, and should have a position somewhat sheltered 

 from the full force of the wind. And the third fact is that they revel 

 in sunshine, and the more roasting the season the finer will be the 

 flowers. 



JULY 



ANEMONE. Those who grow this flower from seed should make 

 another sowing at the end of July or beginning of August, even if 

 they have thrifty plants from the February sowing. By this arrange- 

 ment the flowering period is prolonged, and the finer blossoms will 

 probably come from the present sowing. 



ANTIRRHINUM. A sowing in drills will supply plants for flower- 

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

 where they are intended to bloom. 



BEGONIA, TUBEROUS-ROOTED. Seedlings raised now will become 

 established before winter, and commence flowering in spring, as a 

 succession to the plants obtained from the sowing made in February 

 last. 



CALCEOLARIA. If more plants are wanted, sow again. Among 

 the seedlings which we left last month just as they had been pricked 

 off, it will soon be evident that there is a wide difference between the 

 strength of the plants. As a rule, the most robust are those in which 

 yellow largely predominates. These make bright and showy decora- 

 tive plants, but the colours that are especially valued by lovers of 

 this flower will probably come from the seedlings which are weakly in 

 the early stage. Hence these should be specially prized, and under 

 skilful management they may be grown into grand specimens. The 

 thumb pots for Calceolarias should be carefully prepared with crocks 

 covered with clean moss or cocoa-nut fibre, and be filled with rich 

 porous compost. Transfer the plants with extreme care, and place 

 them in a sheltered part of the greenhouse or in a shaded frame, 

 allowing free access of air on the leeward side. If aphis has to be 

 dealt with and it is very partial to Calceolarias tobacco smoke 

 is the best remedy. Choose a quiet evening for the work ; next day, 

 syringe with pure water, and shade the plants. 



