io8 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



time after they have commenced to bloom. If, however, 

 they require feeding, give them farm-yard liquid manure 

 about once a week, alternated with waterings of clear water, 

 this latter only in the event of dry weather. Do not use 

 artificial manures as a regular thing, but rather rely on them 

 to give a little extra stimulus just previous to a show, and 

 one or two waterings will generally suffice. Nitrate of soda, 

 nitrate of potash, and sulphate of ammonia can each be 

 relied on to give an extra fillip to the plants, provided that 

 the ground has been properly manured before planting. 

 Either of these should be used two or three weeks before 

 a show, and if the weather is wet a slight sprinkling may 

 be given to the ground on each side of the rows, but if 

 dry it is as well to use it in the water at the rate of } Ib. 

 to 50 gallons of water. 



On dry, porous soils, after the plants are well in bloom, 

 they will appreciate any quantity of water, and much more 

 manure than on heavy ground. On heavy land great care 

 must be exercised, for an extra dose of either manure or 

 water will tend to make the buds drop, and the blooms 

 that do open will be thin and of a poor colour. There- 

 fore, in either feeding or watering, try to be guided by 

 the requirements of the plants, and err rather on the 

 under side than the reverse. 



Preparing: and Cutting the Blooms. Many people 

 remove all bloom buds as they appear until about a fortnight 



