250 
CONSERVATORY. 
One of the prevailing faults in the so called 
best flowers is the sraallness of the centre 
yellow or white, and the largeness of the eye, 
which breaks through it into the border. 
We are so severe in these matters ourselves, 
that we count the very best of them no bloom 
in summing up the good ones ; there are few 
stands, even of thirty-six, that contain twelve 
good show flowers. 
The Hare-lip, as Mr. Davis in a descriptive 
catalogue called the indentation at the bottom 
of a Pansy, is a very common fault, and often 
belongs not to the true character of a flower. 
When a Pansy is opening this is the first bit 
exposed, and cold winds, hot sun, or blight 
will attack it and check the growth, while the 
rest of the bloom develops itself, and thus 
leaves a notch or indentation, though the same 
flower, if not blighted, will come whole and 
perfect in the bottom petal. 
The Pansy is one of the flowers that is, 
perhaps, the furthest of any removed from its 
original form, to meet the once supposed im- 
possible shape given out as the model of excel- 
lence by the Metropolitan Society of Florists 
and Amateurs ; and those who remember the 
once favourite Lord John Russell, that was 
deemed a gem in its way, and compare that five 
armed windmill with the circular blooms of the 
present day, will not wonder at the incredulity 
of those who thought a circular flower impos- 
sible. 
GARDENING CALENDAR FOR JUNE. 
THE CONSERVATORY. 
The general features of the treatment re- 
commended at p. 207 will be applicable. The 
early flowering winter plants will, for the most 
part, have nearly, or quite, completed their 
growth ; and, as soon as they become matured, 
will require to be brought to a state of rest. 
As much coolness as can be secured will be 
desirable to effect this condition. 
Temperature, cj'c. — To prevent, as far as 
possible, subjecting the plants to the high 
temperature of this period of the year, which 
would, of course, be augmented, too, by the 
glass roof of the building, ir is necessary to 
have the ventilation so arranged as to be as 
perfect as possible in its operation. Both day 
and night, for two or three months to come, 
' the house should, as gardeners express it, 
" stand at air ;" that is, the sashes and venti- 
lators should be opened to the full extent, 
both day and night. A portion of night air 
was recommended last month, which will have 
prepared the plants for full exposure, but they 
must be subjected to it gradually. The object 
is to submit the plants, as nearly as possible, 
to the same condition as greenhouse plants 
experience when set out of doors in summer. 
There are two cautionary recommendations 
which it will be proper here to notice : — first, 
the air, though admitted to the full extent 
which is practicable, should never be allowed 
to enter in currents : to be more plain, it is 
desirable to open all the means of ventilation 
to the extent that may be necessary, rather 
than to open a few to a much wider extent ; 
the consequence of the former is the most 
perfect interchange of the external and in- 
ternal volume of air that can be secured ; the 
latter causes, what we have recommended to 
guard against, namely, cold draughts and strong 
currents of air. Another point is this : it is 
possible, indeed in a collection it will be almost 
certain, that here and there a plant will be 
later in making its growth, and will, conse- 
quently, be less advanced now than those for 
whose benefit we are directing full ventilation. 
If it be a greenhouse plant, of a hardy con- 
stitution, it will in no way be injured, but 
rather benefited, by the ventilation ; but if it 
should be a plant of a more tender nature, it 
will be proper to keep the sashes closed which 
are in immediate contiguity to the plant. This 
precaution is not often, but may be sometimes, 
necessary. 
Watering. — Refer to the directions already 
given at p. 207. 
Shading. — This attention must be perse- 
vered in when the sun is powerful : it will 
every day become more necessary. Shading 
adds much to the coolness, which perfect ven- 
tilation is intended to secure. 
Climbing Plants. — It is an indispensable 
point of practice to continue the pruning, 
stopping, and training of these plants, with- 
out intermission, throughout the growing 
season. 
Roses. — There is no flower more highly 
prized than these, and therefore they should 
always be provided. Some of the tea-scented 
and China kinds, which do better in a cool 
conservatory than anywhere else, should be 
provided and potted now, and they will bloom 
in August. 
Potted Plants. — The majority of the potted 
plants which are kept in the conservatory, are 
plants in bloom brought in for the purpose of 
decoration ; their treatment will, therefore, be 
found under other heads of the Calendar. The 
permanent plants being generally planted out 
