JULY.] FLOWERS. 507 



otherwise destroy the useless suckers rising about 

 the roots of many shrubs ; to hoe and clean the 

 borders, walks, and edgings, as they may require, 

 and as often hinted at in the former months. 



FLOWERS. 



Carnations and Pinks. 



The choice stage carnations should now be re- 

 moved from the situation they were placed in, as 

 directed in May, to the stage where they are to 

 flower. Previous to placing them on the stage, let 

 the pots be properly cleaned, and stir up the sur- 

 face anew with the point of a small wedge, adjust- 

 ing the flower stems to their sticks. 



Any of the flowers not opening fair, should have 

 the pod slit with a penknife, or with sharp-pointed 

 scissars, in two or three places round the edges, and 

 a little way down, in order to aid the petals in ex- 

 panding ; as otherwise large flowers often open in 

 an irregular manner, and so are very deficient in 

 beauty. This care to have them break regularly, 

 must be repeated from time to time ; never slitting 

 the pod much at once, but always leaving as much 

 of the bottom part entire as may be sufficient to 

 keep the petals regularly together. The pod being 

 tied round in the middle, with a small bit of mat, 

 or green worsted, would keep it more correct. 



As the flowers come into full blow, and if it be 

 wished to preserve their beauty and delicacy to the 

 latest, they must be shaded from the mid-day sun. 

 The stage, if a raised one, must for this purpose be 



