Round the Year in the Garden 



that the plant is given no rest. At this season it is advis- 

 able to keep the soil rather dry for a few weeks ; water 

 must not be withheld altogether, but should only be given 

 when the soil is really dry. If watering is resumed at the 

 end of three weeks or so the flower stems soon appear. 

 The leaves of the Vallota are evergreen, and watering 

 must be continued during winter, though the soil is then 

 to be kept only moderately moist. 



Early Bulbs. A few potfuls of bulbs in bloom in the 

 greenhouse early in the New Year are always welcome, 

 and there is no difficulty in the matter, providing the 

 bulbs are potted in August or during the first two weeks 

 of September. The three chief kinds are Roman Hyacinth, 

 Paper White Narcissus and Due Van Thol Tulip. They 

 are potted in 5- or 6-inch pots, and placed beneath ashes 

 out of doors, or in a cool and shady frame for 6 or 8 weeks. 

 At the end of that time the young shoots are gradually ex- 

 posed to light, and the plants are placed in the greenhouse. 

 The temperature ought not to be higher than 50 until 

 the flowers show ; it may then be increased if it is desired 

 to have the blooms early. A soil composed of loam, with 

 a little leaf soil and a free supply of sand intermixed, suits 

 them well. When potting bulbs it is essential not to 

 make the soil very firm beneath them, or, when roots 

 form, the bulbs are pushed out of the pots. 



In the Fruit Garden 



Layering Strawberries. The Strawberry is one of 

 the most luscious of hardy fruits and is of the easiest cul- 

 tivation. That is not to say that haphazard methods will 

 succeed, for the opposite is the case. But if a few 

 essential details are attended to Strawberry growing 

 offers no difficulty. It is of importance to commence layer- 

 ing early in July, so that strong plants may be available 

 for permanent planting in September. The layers are 

 the little plants that form on stalk-like growths proceed- 



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