406 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 early in July 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



FEEDING Sweet Peas. Rows or 

 clumps of Sweet Peas are now flower- 

 ing freely, and in most cases stems 

 are long and the flowers fine. This is 

 the general experience at the commence- 

 ment of the flowering season, but shorter 

 stems and smaller blooms will soon be 

 noticed, and that is the time to give the 

 plants fertilisers. Do not give these before 

 they are wanted, or bud dropping will 

 probably result. Liquid made from cow or 

 sheep manure is excellent for the purpose, 

 given in a very weak condition about once 

 a week. Every alternate week clear soot 

 water may be used with good results. 



Transplanting Wallflowers. Wall- 

 flowers quickly become weakened if allowed 

 to remain crowding each other in the seed- 

 bed, therefore transplant them out at the 

 earliest opportunity. If they are to be 

 transferred a second time place them 4 inches 

 apart now ; otherwise 8 inches is a suitable 

 distance. Freshly manured soil should be 

 avoided ; a plot from which Potatoes or 

 some other early crop has been lifted is 

 suitable. Water them in well, and subse- 

 quently keep the soil moist. 



Budding Roses. This work may be 

 undertaken now, as soon as the bark parts 

 freely from the stem ; a dull day following 

 heavy rain is the best time. Make a T- 

 shaped cut in the bark of the stock (in the 

 case of standards as near the main stem as 

 possible ; dwarfs are budded as near the roots 

 as is practicable). Cut the buds from growths 

 which have bloomed, inserting the knife 

 i-inch below the bud, making a curved cut 

 behind it, and coming out J-inch above it. 

 The leaf is shortened, and the tiny piece of 

 wood behind the bud slipped out without 

 damaging the latter (see page 317 for full 

 instructions). Loosen the bark at the sides 

 of the T cut, and slip the bud into position 

 without delay, finally binding securely, but 

 not too tightly, with raffia, 



Gutting Back Rose Growths. As Roses 



pass out of bloom, instead of merely removing 

 the faded flowers, cut the growths back to 

 the third or fourth bud from the base. 

 This ensures a stronger growth for the pro- 

 duction of the second crop of flowers. 



Violets. The young plants must not be 

 neglected if they are to develop into strong 

 clumps by the end of the summer. Water 

 freely during dry weather, and late in the 

 afternoon moisten the bed by means of a 

 " rosed " can. This will keep away Red 

 Spider, a pest which frequently attacks 

 Violets in dry weather. The frequent use 

 of the hoe between the plants is also of great 

 value. 



Tending Bedding Plants. Plants grow- 

 ing in carpet beds or ribbon borders need 

 frequent attention, so that the several 

 varieties do not encroach on each other, or 

 the whole effect will be spoilt. Plants which 

 " run " or trail along the ground such as 

 Verbenas, Ivy-leaf Geraniums, etc. should 

 be secured with short pegs, so that the 

 surface of the beds is covered evenly. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 

 Transplanting Calceolarias. Calceo- 

 laria seed is fairly quick in germinating, and 

 the business of pricking out the seedlings 

 must be commenced earlier than is the case 

 with the majority of flowers. Transfer the 

 seedlings with great care to pots or pans 

 filled with a light compost, and grow on in 

 the greenhouse, protecting them from the sun 

 always. It is not necessary to wait until all 

 the seedlings are large enough to move, but 

 prick them out as they become ready. 

 Take especial care of the smallest plants ; 

 they usually tum out to be the best colour. 



Potting Winter-flowering Begonias. 

 Plants of these are now ready for their 

 flowering pots, those 6 inches in diameter 

 being quite large enough. For soil mix some 

 fibrous loam with leaf soil, and add plenty of 

 sand. After potting grow in a warm house 

 in the shade, and maintain a moist atmo- 

 sphere by frequent syringeing 



