170 CULTIVATION. 



herein-before mentioned; and be guarded against 

 the attack of earwugs. Give plenty of water ; 

 and, if the foliage is not of a deep, luxuriant 

 green, revive it with manured water. 



Next follows the peculiar practice of the pro- 

 fessional florist. Soon as the calyx, or pod, as it 

 is technically called, begins to open at the top, 

 fix a band of bass or waxed thread round its 

 middle : this is to prevent the calyx bursting 

 irregularly : and, as it naturally opens by its 

 clefts parting from the top downwards, should 

 one side incline to burst faster than the other, 

 the cleft or clefts on the opposite side should be 

 opened by the point of a penknife, to give free- 

 dom to the petals to expand themselves equally 

 all round. 



As some sorts and flowers expand before the 

 generality of the collection, it is necessary to pre- 

 serve these flowers till they are overtaken by the 

 rest. For this purpose, funnel or rather umbrella 

 shaped pasteboard shades are used, which, by a 

 hole in the centre, are slipped on the flower-stick, 

 and fixed just above the flowers. 



