CALENDAR FOR THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



plants are required for general house decora- 

 tion, they must be provided of various sizes. 

 To attain this end a variety of cuttings should 

 be rooted. Among these we may mention An- 

 dropogon sch&nanthus. Aralias of numerous kinds 

 should be grafted, Ardisias raised from seed, 

 Curculigo by division, Cissus discolor from cut- 

 tings, Eranthemums by cuttings, Cyperus by 

 taking off the heads with two inches of stem, 

 and inserting them up to the pennates in a 

 mixture of peat and sand, Epiphyllums by graft- 

 ing, Goldfussia anisqphylla, Pandanus, Panicum, 

 Pellionia, Phrynium, Pilea, Reidia, &c, from 

 cuttings; and Rivinas, Torenias, Smilax, and 

 the various forms of Asparagus from cuttings. 

 These must all have attention, in order that a 

 regular supply of such plants may be had as 

 required. Pot up Caladium bulbs and increase 

 their number by dividing them into as many 

 pieces as there are eyes. 



Intermediate House. — Divide and pot all 

 such plants as Aspidistras, Olivias, Farfugiums, 

 Hedychiums, Myrsiphyllum asrparagoides, Phor- 

 miums, Ophiopogons, Bhajris flabelliformis, and 

 Curculigo recurvata. If this be done this month, 

 nice well-established plants may be had for use 

 in the autumn. Sow seed of Aralia Sieboldii, 

 Grevillea, and other plants, and propagate by 

 means of cuttings Libonias, Eupatoriums, Be- 

 gonias, Linums, and similar plants for winter 

 flowering. Many of the Ferns will also require 

 repotting, and any seedlings should be pricked 

 out into pans as they get large enough to handle. 



Forcing House. — Continue to introduce 

 plants required to be brought into bloom, but 

 as the days get longer they will come into 

 flower with far less artificial warmth than in 

 the previous months. It will therefore be no 

 longer necessary to place so many in heat at one 

 time. Cuttings of such plants as Aloysia and 

 Coronilla should now be rooted. The former 

 will be found very serviceable, if planted out, 

 for cutting in the autumn. 



Greenhouse and Conservatory. — Hard- 

 wooded plants will require constant attention 

 during this month. The bright gleams of sun- 

 shine and the parching winds have each to be 

 contended with. The former causes the tempera- 

 ture to rise suddenly, while the latter prevents 

 the admission of air to regulate it. Azaleas that 

 have been forced, and have finished blooming, 

 should have the old flowers picked off, and if 

 the plants require repotting, this should be done 

 before growth has too far advanced. If there is 

 no lime in the soil, some good turfy loam may 

 be mixed with the peat, but where lime is 



present, this should be discarded, nothing being 

 used but sharp sand to mix with the peat. 



Camellias whose flowering period is over should 

 be repotted. We do not advocate placing them 

 in heat to forward their growth, except for the 

 purpose of causing them to flower earlier, as more 

 robust shoots are developed in a cooler atmo- 

 sphere. 



The conservatory will now have a gay appear- 

 ance, with the various kinds of flowers that 

 have been forced; and as a number of these 

 will be tender, the house should be shaded to 

 protect them from the direct rays of the bright 

 sunshine. More water should also be used to 

 keep the house cool. Sudden changes in tem- 

 perature must be avoided by keeping the venti- 

 lators in use when possible. 



Pits and Frames. 



These will now be filled to their utmost 

 capacity, as many plants which have been occu- 

 pying the houses will be transferred to them 

 towards the end of the month. They will also be 

 useful in retarding Tulips, Hyacinths, Freesias, 

 and such-like, and for the protection of the early- 

 flowering Gladiolus. Florists' flowers, too, will 

 still need their shelter. Violet cuttings may be 

 rooted in them. 



Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 



Any leaves which have been blown about by 

 the wind should be cleared away. Edge grass- 

 walks, sweep and roll lawns, and make all tidy. 

 When the weather is favourable finish digging 

 shrubbery borders, and prune any evergreens 

 that may require it. In warm localities many 

 half-hardy plants that have occupied cold frames 

 during the winter may be planted out towards 

 the end of the month, as may also Carnations, 

 Pentstemons, and various other plants. Re- 

 arrange herbaceous borders, and divide plants 

 where necessary. 



Helianthus, Chrysanthemums, Heleniums, 

 Pyrethrums, and other autumn-flowering plants, 

 should have due attention paid to their require- 

 ments. 



Spring bedding plants will soon be gay, espe- 

 cially those planted early in the autumn. Many 

 of the Violas, Silenes, Polyanthuses, Myosotis, 

 Arabis, and others that bloom early, will be in 

 flower. 



Keep the beds under inspection and remove 

 all decayed leaves. In dry weather stir the 

 surface of the soil with a hoe, to destroy any 

 little weeds which may be making their appear- 

 ance. Put sticks to Tulips and Hyacinths, to 



