136 CUT FLOWERS. 



shoots have grown about six inches, gradually harden them 

 off, by admitting more aii' or by removing to a cooler place, 

 guarding against any sudden check to the plants, and by the 

 end of May they may be fully exposed to the open air. The 

 first week in June is soon enough to plant them out, when all 

 danger of frost is past. On no occasion should they suffer for 

 want of water, while liquid manure twice a week will be bene- 

 ficial. It shoiild be used weak at first, but gradually stronger 

 as the season advances. The result will be more satisfactory 

 if the liquid manure i.s varied thus : farmyard manure at one 

 watering, sheep-droppings at the next, guano or any other 

 artificial manure capable of being dissolved at another, and 

 so on. Three to five shoots is enough to leave on a plant to 

 obtain the largest and finest blooms. A stake should be put 

 to each shoot, and the laterals should be all pinched as they 

 appear. At this stage a good mulching of decomposed manure 

 will be of service to the health of the plants, especially if the 

 weather is dry. About the beginning of August buds will 

 appear in the points of the leading shoots, the best of which, 

 or those of good form with full centres, should be selected and 

 the others pinched off ; but if the first flowers are considered 

 too early, they should be taken off, and lateral shoots trained 

 up to take their place, which will produce flowers two weeks 

 later. When the blooms begin to expand, they require protec- 

 tion, which can be given by fixing a piece of cardboard, to a 

 stake, and placing it over the bloom. They should be cut 

 when dry, and properly arranged before leaving for the show. 

 The points of merit are : (1.) Size; (2.) form ; (3.) colour. The 

 flowers should be round, full in the centre, and not cupped. 

 The petals of both double and single varieties should be regu- 

 lar and slightly reflexed, of good substance, and rich and clear 

 in colour. 



DELPHINIUSI. 



The bold handsome spikes -of this hardy plant are held in 

 high esteem by many cultivators of florist's flowers. There 

 are both single and double varieties, with tints of colour from 

 light blue to dark purple. Their tall spikes and attractive 



