July 4, 1S72. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



19 



the roots, and fill up with rich compost, of which soil may 

 form one part and rotten dung another, and then water as 

 needed. These boxes may be expected to bloom most splen- 

 didly during the summer, and to go on from year to year far 

 exceeding in brilliancy, and with a tithe of the trouble involved 

 in keeping young plants over the winter. Every year, for 

 some time past, we have had fine plants of Tom Thumb 

 Geranium in the flower garden. They are in largish pots, 

 plunged. About the end of October the pots are generally 

 raised, and plants and pots together go into a shed until we 

 get time to pick the most of the leaves off. The plants then 

 generally stand in a shed secure from frost all the winter. In 

 spring a few withered points will want removing, and the 

 plants are placed first in a cool house, just as inside the win- 

 dow of a room. When growth commences they get a little 

 •water and then are fresh surfaced. 



If Tropaaoluuis of the Elegans or Triomphe de Hyeres kinds 

 are grown we would place little dependance on the old plants. 

 If taken up, if the boxes must be changed, or if left alone in 

 boxes of Calceolarias or Geraniums; — in the first case, they 

 would have too much moisture in winter, and in the other case 

 they, would be too dry even for such succulent plants. The 

 best way with them is to keep a supply of young plants from 

 cuttings, and let the rest die. In the case of the common 

 Tropieolums, and even the Tom Thumb scarlets and yellows, 

 which are very beautiful, the best plan is to sow seeds at the 

 sides of the boxes in April, or, what is better, sow in a pot 

 inside the window at the end of March. Pot-off into small 

 3-inch pots as soon as the plants are 2 inches high, and then 

 in May turn out the nice, established plants in the sides of the 

 boxes on the balcony. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



The weather lately has encouraged a rapid and luxuriant 

 growth in vegetation. Plant the Broccoli and Winter Greens 

 in all disposable vacancies. Some attention should be directed 

 to the proper distribution of sorts of Broccoli, appropriating, 

 for instance, all protected situations to the tender sorts. 

 Avoid planting borders fronting fruit trees. Continue to ridge- 

 out Celery. Plant Leeks in well-prepared land. Advancing 

 Peas should be well attended to, and successional Kidney Beans 

 will require some protection against the attacks of slugs. The 

 early crops of Peas, Spinach, Radishes, and Cauliflowers should 

 be cleared-off the ground as soon as their edible supply is ex- 

 hausted ; the ground, well manured and dug, might be planted 

 with Cauliflowers or Walcheren Broccoli. Sow Endive, Let- 

 luces, Spinach, Turnips, and Radishes to maintain the suc- 

 cessional supply. If weeds be not followed-up and destroyed 

 they will become most mischievous in their effects. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



As close gloomy weather is favourable to the fecundation of 

 aphis, additional attention should be given at this time to 

 Peach, Cherry, and other trees, both on walls and espaliers, 

 with a view to the timely destruction of insect annoyances. 

 Peach trees will require repeated attentions directed to the 

 judicious regulation of the wood, with the view of maintaining 

 the equilibrium of the tree. An undue growth of laterals 

 should be suppressed, the shoots regularly tacked-in to the 

 wall, and the fruit exposed to the light. Trained Pears de- 

 mand similar attention. Remove Raspberry suckers where 

 a disproportionate quantity exists ; four will be sufficient to 

 remain. Strawberry runners will be found sufficiently ad- 

 vanced for layering. Small pots are generally preferred for 

 the purpose, shifting them twice. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Now is the time when all flowers in masses or mixed beds 

 should undergo a thorough regulation for the season. Much 

 of the beauty of mixed beds depends on observing a due 

 proportion as to the amount of foliage. It does not look well, 

 for instance, to find Phloxes, Asters, and other gross herba- 

 ceous plants with a score of shoots each, smothering such 

 delicate neighbours as Verbenas, Nierembergias, or Calceola- 

 rias. Such overgrown specimens, where they exist in mixed 

 beds or borders, should be much reduced in size ; in fact, four 

 or at the most five shoots are amply sufficient. All ripening 

 bulbs should be removed into a cool, dry, and shady situation ; 

 those still somewhat green, if they must be removed, may be 

 taken up with a ball of earth and heeled in a somewhat shady 

 place for a few weeks longer. This will be better than forcing 

 them into a state of rest. Many of the bulbs, however, as the 



Crocus, Ac, with small leaves, may have flowers introduced 

 around, and mingled with the patches. Sweet Verbenas, 

 Petunias, the Myosotis, and even German Stocks or Asters, 

 may soon be made to cover their remains. Above all, let 

 everything be well staked, for summer storms when the season 

 turns out nngenial, frequently prove very destructive in a few 

 hours. Perpetual Roses which have blossomed freely will be 

 benefited by a slight top-dressing and an application of manure 

 water, to insure a healthy second bloom. Climbers generally 

 should be looked to. Lay Pinks and Cloves for potting. 

 Russian Violets may be separated and new plantations made. 

 Mow and roll grass. Trim edgings. Attend to the propriety 

 of walks, the weather at present encouraging the growth of 

 weeds. Plants growing in baskets and vases should now have a 

 final stirring at the roots before the surface is entirely covered 

 with foliage, likewise put on a layer of moss to check excessive 

 evaporation, and thus save some labour in watering, which 

 they otherwise would frequently require, as they are generally 

 elevated above the surrounding surface, and, therefore, more 

 exposed to the rays of the sun. Bear iu mind that Fuchsias 

 in vases should be attended to daily as regards watering ; it is 

 inattention to this that causes the bloom to drop, and in 

 course of time renders the plant unsightly. The shrubbery 

 will require frequent attention at this season. Remove ail 

 decayed flowers and seed-vessels from American shrubs ; this 

 will not only give them a neat appearance, but will in a great 

 degree add to then- strength, and, as a result, will secure 

 an abundant bloom next season. Now is a good time for 

 layering Rhododendrons, Azaleas, &c, just as they are com- 

 ing into full growth. Single specimens of choice trees and 

 shrubs planted upon the grass in open places should have the 

 long grass regularly cut away from about the stems. Be sure 

 that the fences placed around them for protection from hares 

 and rabbits are in good repair. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



At this season, when the plants in the conservatory are making 

 then- growth preparatory to blooming, it is of the greatest con- 

 sequence that the border iu which they are planted should be 

 projierly examined as to its humidity throughout, and receive, 

 if necessary, a thorough soaking of weak liquid manure. This 

 application should not be delayed too long, or, if applied late, 

 it might prolong the growth so much in the autumn as to pre- 

 vent its getting ripened in due time. ; These remarks apply, 

 of course, to those plants permanently planted out, such as 

 Camellias, Oranges, climbers, <tc. Give all the air possible at 

 this season both night and day. The greenhouse at the pre- 

 sent time is occupied principally with Pelargoniums and such- 

 like softwooded plants, and possibly also with specimen Bo- 

 ronias and Eriostemons. Keep a sharp look-out after the 

 former, and see that they are not suffering from mildew, 

 which will quickly play havoc with them. Leschenaultias 

 which have done blooming must be repotted, if necessary, and 

 placed in a shady situation to make their growlh. The flower- 

 buds should also be removed constantly from the young grow- 

 ing plants, which should now be making rapid growth. Look 

 well to those stove and greenhouse plants which are preparing 

 for winter blooming, also Achimenes, Gloxinias, Gesneras, 

 &c, a good stock of which will be found useful in the autumn. 

 Chrysanthemums must be duly potted and attended to. Supply 

 them liberally with manure water, and sprinkle them over- 

 head every evening. Destroy insects on Cinerarias, and above 

 all things see that your Azaleas are clear of thrips. If they are 

 not, take them from the pit or house and give them a thorough 

 good washiug, then place thein in a close room, fumigate 

 them, and wash them thoroughly again before returning them 

 to the pit. 



STOVE. 



Here a number of Clerodendrons and such-like softwooded 

 plants will now be showing bloom , and with the late-blooming 

 Txoras, Dipladenias, Echites, &c, this house will be very in- 

 teresting for some time to come. Give abundance of air at 

 all times, and endeavour to keep the air of the house saturated 

 with moisture. Look closely after insects, especially the mealy 

 bug, which delights to get into a truss of Ixora flowers, from 

 which, undisturbed, it will soon colonise a whole house. Weak 

 liquid manure should be used here once or twice a-week, as 

 well to sprinkle the house as to water the plants. The young 

 plants which have been removed from the dung pit to this 

 house must be duly attended to. Encourage the young Ixoras, 

 by giving them plenty of air both night and day, to make 

 strong hardy growth, and do not stop them any more this 

 season. 



