298 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



flowers next season. This magnificent plant will not 

 thrive without the leaves are kept clean, and have a good 

 drainage, which should be attended to when repotting. 

 Geraniums will grow from slips, also Verbenas and Helio- 

 tropes ; the two latter may be planted in the open ground, 

 where they will make a showy appearance through the 

 summer. Oxales, when done flowering, should be removed 

 into the shade, and be watered sparingly until in a state of 

 rest, when no more should be given. Plants of all de- 

 scriptions (Cacti excepted) may be removed the last of this 

 month into the garden where a shady situation is prefer- 

 able for most pot plants ; they must be watered daily. 



JUNE. 



Some activity will be necessary in this department the 

 whole of this month. The attention of the amateur will 

 be required, first to the Carnations, Picotees, and choice 

 Pinks in tieing them up ; and as their flowers will begin 

 to expand this month, if you discover any inclined to burst 

 on one side, take a sharp pointed knife and make an in- 

 cision on the opposite side of the calyx, for the weather 

 will sometimes cause that detect, and if precautionary 

 means be not taken the petals will fall out, and destroy the 

 symmetry of the flower. The majority of prize flowers of 

 this family of plants are constitutionally defective in that 

 particular. When such is the case, take a fine piece of 

 Russia matting, or a piece of bladder, and tie around the 



