456 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 late in July 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



PROPAGATING Carnations. The 

 work of propagating Border Carna- 

 tions by means of layering should 

 receive attention now. Select several 

 strong, sturdy growths that have not 

 flowered, and remove the lower leaves. 

 Loosen the soil immediately underneath 

 them, and mix in plenty of sandy soil. A 

 barrowload of similar soil should also be 

 at hand before layering commences. A 

 tongue is formed on the under side of each 

 growth by slitting the stem partly through, 

 and the slit should pass through a joint. 

 Bend the top part of each shoot into an 

 upright position so that the " tongue " is 

 opened, and peg the lower part of the stem 

 firmly into the soil. Cover with sandy soil, 

 and water the layers through a fine rose. 

 This watering must be repeated frequently 

 during dry weather, while shading is also 

 beneficial ; be careful in watering not to 

 wash away the soil. 



Snapdragons. To ensure a display of 

 Snapdragons in early summer it is necessary 

 to sow seed now, either in boxes in a cold 

 frame, or in drills on a prepared seed-bed 

 outside. In either case sow thinly, and cover 

 lightly ; watering will be necessary frequently. 

 Seedlings from the sowing in boxes will need 

 pricking out, but if thinly sown, the outdoor 

 plants can remain in the seed-beds until 

 large enough to plant out in autumn where 

 they are to bloom. 



Dahlias. These plants require careful 

 staking, for their size renders them liable 

 to damage more easily than many plants. 

 Therefore strong stakes should be used, but 

 endeavour so to place them that they are 

 not obtrusive. Dahlias need plenty of 

 water in dry seasons, and liquid manure 

 should also be given regularly where possible. 

 Failing this, mulch the plants with short 

 manure. 



Bulbs. Bulbs that were lifted from 

 flower beds to facilitate the work of summer 

 bedding, and were laid in soil to ripen off, 



have now completed this process, and may 

 be lifted. Be careful not to mix the varieties, 

 and do not store the bulbs until they are 

 really dry. 



Increasing Pinks. The propagation of 

 Pinks may be effected in various ways, but 

 a suitable method is by means of slips or 

 pipings and cuttings. The only difference 

 between these two is that a piping is pulled 

 out as illustrated on page 364, whereas a 

 cutting is prepared in the usual way, by 

 trimming and severing below a joint. 

 They root readily now if inserted outdoors 

 in sandy soil, watered, covered with hand- 

 lights, and shaded from bright sunshine. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 

 Potting Cyclamen. Old roots of Cycla- 

 men should be potted immediately growth 

 recommences, which is usually some time in 

 July. Shake away the old soil carefully to 

 avoid injury to the roots, and repot in a 

 compost of 2 parts loam, 1 part leaf-soil, and 

 some sand. Be careful not to bury the 

 corms or watering will cause them to decay ; 

 they should almost rest on the soil. Place 

 in a frame, keep this closed for a few days, 

 and shade from bright sunshine. Water 

 carefully until the roots show through the 

 new soil. Seedlings raised from seed sown 

 last autumn are ready to pot into 5-inch 

 pots. 



Winter - flowering Stocks. Everyone 

 with a greenhouse should grow Intermediate 

 Stocks for flowering during the winter, the 

 plants being quite easily grown, and their 

 fragrance provides an additional inducement. 

 Sow seeds at the end of this month in pans, 

 and place in a cold frame. Prick off the 

 seedlings singly, or three in a pot, and sub- 

 sequently move into 6-inch pots. Only 

 sufficient heat to exclude frost is necessary 

 at any time. 



Potting Primulas. Before they crowd 

 each other the seedlings of Primula sinensis 

 and stellata previously pricked out into pans 

 should be potted off, giving each a 3-inch 



