122 THE FLORIST AND 



Hot House — Justicias, Aphelandras, and Acanthaceous plants, which 

 have been the mainspring of beauty in this department most of the winter 

 and spring, and have now done flowering, should have the lightest and driest 

 part of the house, to ripen w T ell their wood, preparatory to being cut back 

 and repotted for next season's flowering. The Achimenes and Gloxinia 

 will be coming on to take their places, their cultivation has been detailed in a 

 former number of the journal — they like a moist heat circulating amongst 

 ,heir roots, and do well with much rough material in the soil. Pentas car- 

 nea, or similar soft wooded plants grown for flowering early in. the fall, may 

 be still repotted if the pots become filled with roots — as the weather be- 

 comes warm shade the house a little to keep the sun from scorching. I like 

 to see all plants under glass have a slight shade in summer time — water in 

 the morning, keep the syringe going in the evening, keep the temperature 

 regular, between 60 and 70°, and all will go well. 



Vegetable Garden. — Tomatoes, Egg Plants and Peppers, raised under 

 glass and gradually inured to the open air, may be put out early in the month. 

 For the two last prepare a sandier soil than the former. Lima Beans are 

 also fond of a light soil ; they frequently fail from being put in too early in 

 May, planting the beans too deep, or the stiffness of the soil preventing their 

 coming through easily — guard against these. Bush or string Beans also re- 

 quire attention ; the Valentine is the earliest, the Six Week nearly as early 

 but more productive; and the White Royal Dwarf the best for a crop of 

 beans for winter use. The main crop of Carrots and Beets may go in at this 

 time. Early in the month a few dozen of the Stowell Corn may be sown for 

 table use, which should be repeated as often as each sow T ing appears above 

 the ground. So also with Peas, Radishes, Lettuces, &c, of which a succes- 

 sion is desired. Cucumbers, Cantalopes, Melons, and Okra may be sown 

 about the third week in the month — the former in light rich soil, the three 

 latter prefer a rich firm loam. Many plant Squash seed in their potato rows; 

 I prefer them by themselves — they too like a very rich loam. If a few large 

 Pumpkins are desired, they may be planted in the rows of Lima Beans — 

 feeding on different elements, they do not interfere with that crop. Some 

 of the fall crops must be looked after — Drumhead Cabbage, Purple Brocoli, 

 White Cape, Eranges white, and some Walcheren Brocoli, may be sown in a 

 bed of light soil. Also, the main crop of Celery, and some curled Endive in 

 a similar situation. Wherever Asparagus is used for forcing, a bed of seed 

 should be sown every year to keep up the supply. Hoeing and weeding of 

 all crops should be attended to early, for the benefit they receive from loos- 

 ening of the soil as well as to save much after labor in eradicating weeds. 



T.J. 



