182 THE FLORIST AND 



borders, just before they show flower buds, into 4-inch pots. In a few weeks 

 they will be rooted, when they may be taken off and treated as the others. 

 To assist in keeping up the summer interest of the greenhouse, a good stock 

 of Begonias should be obtained ; few insects care to touch them, while some 

 of them are always in flower, and others successively. They are of the easiest 

 culture, and do better in than out. In American nurseries many kinds can 

 be obtained, amongst the handsomest of which are B. Evansiana, nitida, in- 

 carnata, manicata, Hydrocotylifolia, sanguinea, coccinea, odorata, parvi- 

 flora, fuchsoides, and albo-coccinea. B. cinnabarina, considered one of the 

 handsomest, has been introduced ; but I believe has not been yet let out by 

 the nurserymen. It would greatly tend to encourage the growth of these 

 useful summer house-blooming plants, were our horticultural societies to offer 

 premiums for the best grown specimen at each of their monthly meetings. — 

 All plants kept in the house will need constant syringings and attention to 

 keep down the insects. 



Hot and Orchide^ House. 

 Hothouse plants do not require a higher temperature than greenhouse 

 plants at this period ; but they must have a moister atmosphere to do first- 

 rate in. Indeed, some kinds, as Medinillas, Ixoras, Brunsfelsias and Plero- 

 inas, do but ill in a greenhouse atmosphere in summer. The syringe should 

 therefore be applied very freely, as the air necessary to keep down the tem- 

 perature dries the atmosphere very much. Orchidese, are generally kept 

 much too hot in summer, as well as too close. Air should be given from the 

 top sashes whenever the temperature does not fall below 60°; in warm nights 

 also they may be often left open. The glass should be kept shaded, as it 

 is almost impossible to keep up the necessary moisture otherwise with so 

 much air ; some means should be taken to keep an evaporating surface near 

 them, as well as to give them frequent syringings. Never allow the temper- 

 ature to go above 80° — a high moist temperature will destroy an orchid 

 sooner than anything I know. Renanthera coccinea, Dendrobium aggrega- 

 tum, most of the Cattleyas, and hard-leaved Epidendrums do not flower well 

 in the shade ; they should be put as near the glass as possible. 



Vegetable Garden. 

 About the end of June the main object of the gardener will be his Celery 

 crop. There are many ways of planting ; the best, in my estimation, being 

 the single row system. The earth in the ditches cannot be dug too deep, nor 

 the manure too abundant ; that from the cow yard is to be preferred. Ruta 

 bagas, or Swede Turnips, should be sown about the same time ; and where 

 Turnips are desired early, a few may be sown in a cool situation. The great 

 p es t_the fly — has not yet been subdued by any one of the nostrums yet in- 

 vented ; a first-rate plan, where the crop is not very extensive, is to water 



