368 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS. 

 THE CALENDAR FOR JULY. 



We are now beginning to reap some of the 

 advantages of our toil, and to be in a great mea- 

 sure reconciled to our early disappointments in 

 the fruit and flower garden. We have lost many 

 of our pets, we grant ; but they are replaced by 

 others. It is true philosophy to take things as we 

 find them, and to be thankful that matters are no 

 worse. Ours is a singular climate ! 



FRUIT. 



If it is intended to make new plantations of 

 Strawberries, select now some of the strongest 

 runners for that purpose ; by planting out during 

 showery weather at this season, they become well 

 established before winter, and usually produce a 

 few fine fruit the following season, which can 

 hardly be the case when delayed until spring. 

 Cherries, Peaches, or Plums, may now be bedded. 

 Examine grafts, and remove any shoots or suckers 

 that may withdraw nourishment from the scion, 

 and keep it secure from injury by winds. Trained 

 Pears, Plums, Apples, or Cherries, should have 

 all the summer growths, except those intended to 

 be trained in, shortened back to two or three eyes 

 to encourage the formation of fruit-buds. Vines 

 must be regularly looked over, and have all weak, 

 useless shoots removed, as last month : if the 

 smallest berries are thinned out regularly and 

 carefully with a pair of scissors, the remaining 

 berries will swell much larger,- and in favorable 

 seasons be scarcely distinguishable from hot-house 

 fruit. Currants and Gooseberries should have 

 any of their summer wood that may shade the 

 fruit, cut out. 



FLOWERS. 



Annuals, during showery weather, may be 

 thinned out, and the thinnings planted. 



Bulbs. — Continue to take up as their foliage 

 decays, and supply their places with annuals or 

 other plants. 



Carnations. — Towards the middle or end of 

 the month is the most proper time to layer these, 

 for which choose dry weather ; the shoots are 

 then much less liable to snap off, when bending 

 them after the incision is made. The operation 

 is performed as follows : First remove the leaves 

 from the part of the stem to be buried in the soil, 

 and about an inch of the extreme points of the 

 terminal leaves ; then, with a sharp knife make an 

 incision a short distance below the most eligible 

 joint, to be found within about two or three of the 

 top ; the cut should pass half through the stem, 

 and then upwards, nearly to the joint above, and 

 cut the small portion of stem remaining on the 

 tongue immediately below the joint ; then bend 

 the shoot down to the soil, which has been 

 loosened for its reception, and secure it there with 

 a small hooked stick — covering it with some finely- 

 broken soil, an inch deep, made tolerably firm 

 about it ; after this, a watering renders the opera- 

 tion complete. All common layering is managed 

 on the same principle, a layer being " a cutting 

 not separated from the parent plant until it has 

 emitted roots for its own support." In layering 

 many kinds of brittle plants, it will be found a good 

 plan to make the cut upon the upper side, instead 



of the lower one, for this reason : when the layer 

 is bent down, after the incision is made at top, 

 the strain is upon the stem, which will stretch a 

 little without breaking ; but when made at the 

 under side, the strain is on the flat-sided wound, 

 which readily snaps. Where the carnation stems 

 are very numerous, it may be worth while to put 

 some in as pipings, in the same manner as re- 

 commended for pinks, about the first of the month; 

 these are much less certain than layers, but are 

 said to make healthier and stouter plants when 

 they do strike ; a gentle bottom-heat would be of 

 advantage to them. The opening flowers must 

 be protected from sun and rain, the calyx tied or 

 secured, and the petals arranged as has been re- 

 commended for pinks. If seedlings were raised 

 last year, they will now be in flower ; select those 

 worth keeping. 



Dahlias. — Thin out weak branches, and keep 

 the plants neatly and securely tied ; cuttings 

 may now be struck, for preserving in pots during 

 winter. 



Heartsease. — Plant out seedlings, and propa- 

 gate choice kinds by cuttings, in a shaded situa- 

 tion. 



Hydrangeas may be increased at this season 

 by cuttings, or by layers, making the tongue at 

 the origin of this season's young wood, and 

 shortening the top. 



Pelargoniums which have flowered may be 

 cut down, and cuttings of the best kinds put in ; 

 they will readily root now. 



Pinks. — Pipings may be still put in, and the 

 decayed flowers removed. 



Roses may be budded if the bark rises freely. 

 The stems which have flowered should be cut 

 down to a good eye. A succession of flowers will 

 be thus encouraged ; examine the earliest buds, 

 that the ties are not pinching. 



Stocks. — In leaving single-flowered plants to 

 produce seed, choose those containing the greatest 

 number of petals. 



When double-flowering herbaceous plants are 

 going out of flower, they will be usually found in 

 the fittest state for increase. Clip Box-edgings 

 — also, deciduous hedges. Keep creepers neatly 

 trained up, and allow no weeds to be seen. 



TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES. 



Let all who value their eye-sight, be careful how 

 they trifle with it. The eye is easily damaged ; 

 and a hint or two to the thoughtless may be in 

 season. Looking into the fire is very injurious 

 to the eyes, particularly if a coal fire. The 

 stimulus of light and heat united, soon destroys 

 the eyes. Looking at molten iron will soon destroy 

 the sight. Reading in the twilight is injurious to 

 the eyes, as they are obliged to make great exer- 

 tion. Reading or sewing with a side light, injures 

 the eyes ; as both eyes should be exposed to an equal 

 degree of light. The reason is — the sympathy 

 between the eyes is so great, that if the pupil of 

 one is dilated by being kept partially in the shade, 

 the one that is most exposed cannot contract itself 

 sufficiently for protection, and will ultimately be 

 injured. Those who wish to preserve their sight, 

 should preserve their general health — by correct 

 habits, and give their eyes just work enough, with 

 a due degree of light. 



