io6 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



June, 



At last the rain came, they revived quickly, 

 and later on gave great satisfaction by free and 

 long-continued bloom. The past season, -ndth 

 a large collection o£ over 100 named varieties, 

 I have had the most intense delight, notwith- 

 standing they never arrived from the North to 

 admit of planting out before June :28th. By 

 September they were grand plants, which soon 

 began to flower, and not all the bloom was yet 

 gone on Christmas day. Let me suggest that 

 the planting be done in open air, any time after 

 April 1st, in deep, rich earth ; pinch in regularly 

 to make bushy; stake up in August, and my 

 word for it, no one South will fail to reap a 

 rich hai-vest of enjoyment. "We do not have 

 to protect from frost as a general rule, but if 

 you wish to have flowers in profusion for 

 Christmas, take up as they begin to bud,to retard 

 them, thereby bringing flowering later. 



THE HOUSE PLANTS. 



Azaleas should go intu the opeu air for the sum- 

 mer, keeping them in a sheltered shady position, 

 as under lath shutters, the lath nailed an inch 

 apart. The pots should stand on brick or slate, to 

 prevent worms getting in. 



Begonias. Tuberous varieties that have sprouted 

 can safely he moved into the summer borders, it 

 done with care. Plant in warm, moist, half- shaded 

 situations. Plants ot the other section, for next 

 winter's flowering, may he propagated now, it not 

 yet done. An inverted glass tumbler placed over 

 the cuttings aids in rooting, as it gives a desirable 

 greenhouse-like moisture. 



Cacti, after blooming, summer well if plunged in 

 a warm sunny border, here to complete their growth. 

 Calceolarias, and plants of similar requirements, 

 do better tor winter flowering if sown now than if 

 this is piit o£E until the hotter months o£ July and 

 August. The seeds germinate more freely now, and 

 the plants will, besides, have a longer period for 

 growth before flowering begins. It is not the easiest 

 feat in floriculture to raise Calceolarias and the hke 

 from seed, for these are so fine as to bear neither 

 covering or watering from overhead, weU. The 

 plan we employ requires neither of these. We 

 prepare pots of earth, underdraining well vrifb 

 potsherds, and finishing with finely sifted earth 

 that is quite sandy, up to within an inch of the top 

 of the pots. Then we soak the earth completely 

 by setting the pots into water, after which we sow 

 the seeds over the surface. The next move is to 

 cover the pot with strong white paper, such as 

 linen writing paper, tying the 

 edges down over the sides On 

 this paper we pour a little water, 

 the weight of which causes a de- 

 pression in the paper, lowest at 

 the center, and then we keep 

 water constantly in the depres- 

 sion until the plants in the soil 

 beneath are up and have their 

 second leaves. The water at the 

 top supplies aU the needed moist- 

 ure for growth and it does not 

 obstruct the light. After remov- 

 „, T, J J ing the paper, water can be ap- 



PhimjingaPotto directly to the soU, but it 



keep out worms ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^.jj,, ^,^^6. 

 aiul keep in the 



rootsMtheuxe CaUas. During the summer 



ofa.mallempty bed them out in good sod. They 



^ J ■^1. will receive a check, losmg most 



pot underneath. ^^ ^^^^.^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^i^^ 



out. but new and stocky ones wifl appear later. 

 Early in September the plants should be lifted and 

 potted, preparatory to their season of bloom. 



Chrysanthemums. These, whether in pots or 

 bedded out, should now be making good growth. 

 The final general pinching back should be done 

 before this month is out. They like plenty of food 

 and moisture, and should have sunshine at least 

 four or five hours a day. 



Cinerarias, See directions given for Calceolarias. 



Fuchsias succeed well as bedding plants in situa- 

 tions sheltered from heavy wmds and bright sun- 



shine. Those that have lately bloomed in the house 

 are good for this purpose. They require a light, 

 rich soil. The red spider, its chief enemy, should 

 be kept down by frequent syringing or sprinkling ot 

 the foliage. To plant out by June 1st is early enough. 



Hibiscus. Plants that Howered in the house last 

 winter may be set out in the garden for the sum- 

 mer. Strike cuttings now tor next year's bloom. 



Oranges and Lemons. Treat as for Azaleas. 



Plunging. It will save much labor in watering 

 the house plants during summer to plunge the pots 

 up to their rims in earth, sand or coal ashes. Two 

 things must be guarded against in doing so, viz.: 

 preventing the roots from growing out the drain- 

 age holes, and angle worms from entering the pots 

 through these. This is not as easily done as it might 

 seem, but there is one sure way for doing it, as 

 shown by our engraving It consists of first plac- 

 ing an eiiipfi/ pot, some smaller than the one con- 

 taining the plant, into the plunging material down 

 so far that the latter will be at the right depth, 

 when standing on the former smaller one. Of 

 course with a vacancy beneath the larger pot ( the 

 interior of the smaller one), neither roots or worms 

 can pass through it, while drainage will not be 

 interfered with, but will be improved. 



Pomegranate. As this plant's season ot bloom 

 is near at. hand, better encourage strong growth by 

 weak applications of manure and water. 



Primroses. See directions given for Calceolarias. 



Stake Fuchsias, Cobseas and all other plants now 

 making a rapid growth promptly as needed. 



Window and 'Veranda Boxes. These now re- 

 quire nuich water. Knough must be given each 

 time it is needed to soak the mass of earth to its 

 very center Many suffer extremely because this is 

 not done, the attendant judging that there is 

 enough water merely because the surface is wet 



LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. 



Adlumia should be making good growth on sup- 

 ports that have been provided ; not on the ground. 

 Antirrhinums. If no seeds are allowed to form 

 during the summer the plants will bloom the finer, 

 and besides will throw up young vigorous shoots, 

 making thrifty plants by autumn, which wiU safely 

 endure the winter. We must not forget that pro- 

 fuse flowering exhausts the plants. 



Annuals. Most kinds may yet be sown. Trans- 

 plant and thin out the early sown ones. 



Bignonia Badicans, or Trumpet Vine, may be 

 trained to a weeping shrub form, by stopping first 

 the stem at a proper height, and then the laterals. 

 Bulbs that are done flowering may be lifted as 

 soon as the leaves begin to wither, laying them in 

 clumps in a shady place, with some soil over their 

 lower parts, to ensure perfect ripening. 

 Calceolarias and like plants. See " House Plants." 

 Dahlias and similar plants having hea\y tops, 

 need to be tied up betimes, or sudden storms of 

 wind and rain wUl break the branches, or worse. 

 Gladiolus. See directions above for Dahlias 

 Hedges. Shearing these, whether they be of 

 deciduous or evergreen kinds, just as the present 

 season's growth begins to turn hard, has the effect 

 of cheeking the growth without impairing health- 

 fulness, a thing always desirable. 

 Hollyhocks require thinning when standing close. 

 Lilies when in bloom can scarcely receive too 

 much water. Make a basin around fine specimens 

 and apply liberally for a few times during the 

 flowering time. The same is true of Tritomas. 



Mulching over the roots of Dahlias, Chrysanthe- 

 mums, Carnations, Lilies, Fuchsias, Rhododen- 

 drons, etc., early this month to remain for the sum- 

 mer, is a good course. Stir the surface a Uttle be- 

 fore applying the coat. 

 Pansies. For faU flowers seed may now be sown. 

 Pegging down plants is not enough done. By 

 this we refer to bringing some of the vigorous 

 young branches down to the earth, fixing them 

 there by wooden or metal hooks, or by crossing 

 pegs over them. Many kinds will then take root 

 where pegged, and altogether give a great increase 

 of growth and bloom. We recommend this course 

 tor Verbenas, Petunias, Roses, Achyranthes, Alter- 

 nantheras, Lantanas. Clematis, and in fact almost 

 any kind of perennials, tender or hardy. 

 Pinks. Tie to stakes, for the good of the bloom. 

 Boses. For treating insects see article elsewhere. 

 Shrubs. The best time to prune those shrubs 

 which flower in the spring and early summer is as 

 soon as the bloom is past. The flowers from such 

 annually proceed from the wood of the previous 

 year's growth— to prune in the spring is to cut 



away just so many flowers prospectively. But by 

 pruning after the bloom there is a season of growth 

 ahead, in which to provide flowering branches for 

 another year, and the form may be as well im- 

 proved by pruning at this time as if the cutting 

 were done at any other time. 



"Walks should, above all else, be kept clear of 

 weeds and litter. Keep the edges tidy. Roll after 

 heavy rains. Sprinkling them in hot weather tends 

 to the making of a cool garden. 



Watering flower beds may do when, owing to 

 drouth, it is really necessary, but not otherwise. If 

 the plants stand closely it may be necessary, when 

 with more space it would not be. If watering is to 

 be done, do so very freely at the time, not calcu- 

 lating soon to repeat the job. It is a fact that many 

 summer flower beds suffer from over-watering. 



Weeds and Weeding. A good gardener suffers 

 httle from weeds; he tUls the soil of the borders and 

 beds so often and so well, that the weeds hardly 

 exist at all. In caring for our borders, aside from 

 using the narrow rake and hoe combined, referred 

 to last month, we find no other tool so useful for 

 stirring the soil around and under plants as the 

 Excelsior Weeding Hook, fiprured below. By stirring 

 the surface of the beds after each showier, taking 

 out the few small weeds that may show up, it 

 can hardly be called work — we look upon it as a 

 pleasure — to care for the beds completely. 



PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS 



Achimenes. The beauty of these may be much 

 prolouged by the help ot liquid manure at times. 



Camellias. See article on page 97, this issue. 



Climbers that are permanent in the houses re- 

 quire special attention now. Let the growth be 

 moderately free, with thinning, training and stop- 

 ping as needful. 



Moving Out. Azaleas, Oranges, and most ten- 

 der shrubs are benefitted by being moved out-doors 

 for the summer into partially shaded places, as 

 under light foliaged trees or temporary arbors 

 made of lath or slats. 



Palms, Ficus and other plants suitable for the 

 sub-tropical garden may now be put out, plunging 

 them in earth to the rim. See " Plunging," under 

 *' House Plants." 



Where there are areas about the garden that 

 could be well adorned by pot plants, by taking 

 pains to arrange these tastefully in regular lines, 

 circles or other ways, grading the plants according 

 to size, the effect will be improved. 



Orchids. See last month's notes. Before the 

 month is out many kinds will have finished their 

 growth and will need a lighter position than during 

 the season ot growth, in which to mature. Such 

 kinds as are still in vigorous growth must have the 

 necessary encouragement, in the way of heat and 

 moisture. Odontoglossums and others requiring 

 cool treatment must not be kept too hot, never 

 above T0° as the highest figure. 



Primroses of all kinds, but very particularly the 

 Double White, must be provided with heavy shade 

 overhead from now imtil next October. 



Propagation is still in order tor Fuchsias, Gera- 

 niums, Cupheas. Petunias, Heliotrope, Sweet Alys- 

 sum, etc., for winter flowering stock. 



Bepairing and Building. Whatever in this Une 

 needs doing should be attended to early, that all 

 may be in shape by time of occupancy next fall. 

 Seed sowing may be begun now for stock ot 

 Cineraria, Calceolaria, Cyclamen, Gloxinia, Brow- 

 alia. Mignonette. Sweet Alyssum, Pansy, etc.. 



,4 favorite tool for use in the garden. See 

 "Weeds and Weeding," above. 



with which to adorn the houses next fall, winter and 

 spring. See " Calceolaria," under "House Plants." 



Stove Plants. Summer bloomers should be re- 

 moved to e<xiler quarters while in flower. 



Summer Management. By shading the glass 

 aU over with a wash made of naphtha mixed with 

 white lead, to resemble thin milk, or even with 

 Ume water, keeping windows and ventilators open, 

 dashing water about freely in walks and under 

 the stages, the greenhouse may be an attractive 

 and not uncomfortable place all through the sum- 

 mer. Pains shoidd be taken to use specimen plants, 

 hanging baskets, orchids and climbers to the best 

 advantage for tasteful decoration. 



