MAY. 



79 



A Hint. — Leptodactylon calipornicum and Agathjea ccelestis fol. variegatis. — 

 I think no garden (particularly where the bedding system is carried out) should be without 

 these two lovely plants. The former is, I presume, generally grown as a pot plant, and 

 when so treated it is apt to lose the lower foliage and assume rather a shabby appearance. 

 As a bedder, however, it is at once novel and beautiful, its delicate Heath-like foliage and 

 lovely white-centred lilac-rose Phlox-like flowers producing an effect which cannot fail to 

 charm. The latter is a plant of recent introduction, and will doubtless find its way into 

 every collection of bedding plants, the beauty of its neat Box-like white variegated leaves 

 and compact short-jointed habit rondering it valuable as an edging or ribbon plant for its 

 foliage alone. It has, however, another recommendation of no ordinary character, for it 

 produces beautiful sky-blue flowers which are thrown well above the foliage, and we all 

 know the value of blue flowers. — (xuxielmus. 



Cultivation op Mushrooms. — At a recent sitting of the French Academy, M. Chevral 

 produced a magnificent bunch of esculent Mushrooms from the grounds of M. Labordette. 

 His method of cultivation is thus described : — He first developes the Mushrooms by sowing 

 spores on a pane of glass covered with wet sand. Then he selects the most vigorous 

 individuals from among them, and sows (or plants) their mycelium in a cellar in a damp soil, 

 consisting of gardener's mould, covered with a layer of sand or gravel 2 inches thick, and 

 another layer about an inch deep with rubbish from demolitions. The bed thus prepared 

 is watered with a diluted solution of two grammes (one gramme equal to 15-44 grains troy) 

 of nitrate of potash per square metre (equal to 1-1960 sq. yard), and in about six days the 

 Mushrooms grow to an enormous size. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



Conservatory. 

 The beauty of plants in flower will soon pass away 

 if exposed to the influence of bright sunshine ; 

 shading must, therefore, be properly attended to, 

 and air should be given freely, especially in fine 

 weather; and towards the middle of the month, 

 if the weather be fine, a little may be left on at 

 nights. Guard against a dry arid atmosphere by 

 syringing daily plants not in flower, and sprink- 

 ling well with water the borders. All plants in pots 

 will now require liberal supplies of water. Strong- 

 growing kinds should have a little weak liquid 

 manure occasionally. Attend regularly to the train- 

 ing of plants, tying-up of climbers, &c. "Forced 

 Eoses, if well done, will now be beautiful objects; 

 display some taste in arranging them to the best 

 advantage. Pelargoniums will now take the place 

 of Cinerarias. Keep down insects of all kinds. 



Gkef.nhocses. 

 This house will now be very interesting and gay, 

 as many of the finer kinds of plants will now be in 

 flower. Shading must be well attended to, other- 

 wise their beauty will soon fade if exposed to bright 

 sunshine. Give abundance of air and attend well 

 to the watering. Plants that were shifted in MarcJi 

 or the beginning of lrist month will now be rooting 

 and growing freely, and should be properly attended 

 to in stopping, thinning, and tying-out of shoots. 

 Syringe them in hot dry weather once daily, and 

 see they have plenty of water. 



Stove. 



The plants in flower may now be moved either to 

 the conservatory or some intermediate-house where 

 they can be kept cooler; they will last longer in 

 flower, and the growing plants can by this means 

 have more space and receive the treatment they 

 i-equire. Shift any plants that may require morepot- 

 room. Stop alllong rambling shoots, and thin and tie 

 out as they require it. Shade a little in very bright 

 weather. Syringe daily. Water freely, especially 

 all strong-growing kinds, to which a little weak 

 liquid manure may be occasionally given. Venti 



late freely. Insects, if not kept down, will now be 

 troublesome. 



Flower Garden. 

 This is a busy month here. The arrangement of 

 colours and similar matters decided on, if the weather 

 be favourable about the middle of the month com- 

 mence planting; put all the hardier things out first, 

 leaving the more tender until towards the end of the 

 month. Peg-down all shoots that are long enough, 

 otherwise the plants may be much damaged by winds. 

 If dry weather should set in after planting watering 

 must be well attended to. Prick-out annuals in beds 

 of good rich soil, so as to get them good plants before 

 they are finally planted. Pleasure Grounds. — There 

 is no better season than the present for transplanting 

 Conifers, provided they are carefully removed ; the 

 most of them like a good loamy soil. They should 

 be well watered when planted now ; if of any size 

 they should be neatly and securely staked to prevent 

 them from being b'own about by the winds. Attend 

 regularly to the rolling and mowing of lawns, the 

 sweeping and rolling of walks, so that everything 

 may now have a neat and beautiful appearance. 



Forcing. 



Fruit.— Pine Apples.— Look well to the bottom heat, 

 if tan or leaves are used for this purpose ; as under a 

 daily increasing temperature it will sometimes get 

 nmch higher than is essential to the well-doing of 

 the plants. The summer fruit will now be swelling- 

 fast, give the plants plenty of water, and occasionally 

 a dose of liquid manure. Give air freely in the early 

 part of the day. Close early in the afternoons, and 

 syringe overhead. Keep as moist an atmosphere as 

 you can at present, you can hardly overdo it now for 

 fruit that is swelling. Shift into their fruiting-pots 

 plants intended for -'starting" next autumn. Shift 

 all growing plants into larger pots as soon as they 

 require it. Keep a steady bottom heat of at least 85", 

 give air freely in fine weather, and maintain a moist 

 growing atmosphere. Vines. — Keep up a moderate 

 fire heat to Grapes that are ripening. By this means 

 you can give them more air than you otherwise 



