29a 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
time of the year, as has been often proved ; 
« and perhaps summer is even the best time 
for doing this, if they are watered pretty 
freely. 
Bidbs of spring-flowering plants, where 
they are ripened, and are not yet taken up, 
should be attended to without delay. Dry the 
roots carefully, and lay them by in a cool dry 
place till planting time. 
Carnatio7is. — As these will be approaching 
a blooming state, the buds must be thinned, if 
fine blooms are desired ; two or three are suf- 
ficient ona stem. If the weather is dry, they 
must be watered, and will be benefited by an 
occasional application, once in half a dozen 
times, of clear diluted manure water. "When 
the buds are nearly ready to burst, the apex 
of the calyx should be evenly opened at the five 
points at which it divides, and just below this, 
it should be tied round, to prevent any of the 
divisions from splitting too far down ; a nar- 
row strip of green silk^endered adhesive by 
a coating of isinglass, is a very neat way of do- 
ing this, though a piece of common bass matting 
will do. The silk is easily removed, when 
necessary, Dy damping it. As the outer 
or guard petals open, they should be supported 
by a card, which is fixed beneath the flower 
by making two cuts, of half an incli long, 
at right angles, and pushing the points thus 
formed all one way ; they form a support to 
keep the card in its place. 
Crocuses and Snowdrops are better left in 
the ground than taken up : if they are lifted 
and replanted once in three or four years it 
will be sufficient; they flower better, and make 
more show, when the patches get a little thick- 
ened. 
Dahlias. — Be careful to have these properly 
and securely tied in as they advance in growth. 
Excessive pruning, as sometimes practised, is 
injurious ; but to obtain fine blooms, the buds 
may be thinned. They require plenty of water. 
Watch carefully for and destroy earwigs. 
Flower-beds and borders should be kept 
very neat ; all decaying plants, leaves, and 
flowers, should be removed every day, or at 
most every two or three days. Seed-pods 
should be removed in all cases, except where 
it is specially desired to preserve seeds of any 
choice flower. Frequently hoe up the borders, 
where not covered with plants, and let this be 
done deeply, three or four inches down ; and 
do not be too particular in raking off all the 
stones. 
Half-hardy flowers of all kinds, not planted 
out during last month, may be put out now, 
and should be employed to fill up vacancies as 
the early sown annuals go off. Most of these 
are the better for being stopped back fre- 
quently, when first put out ; for, though it 
keeps them back from flowering, yet they grow- 
much more compactly, and eventually pro- 
duce a better display of flowers. 
Herbaceous plants of any choice or rare 
kinds may be propagated by cuttings or divi- 
sion, as may be most convenient. 
Lawns must be duly mown, rolled, or swept, 
or that greatest of all charms in an English 
pleasure ground, a velvet-like surface, will not 
be realized. 
Mule Pinks are exceedingly desirable flow- 
ers ; they should be propagated either by 
cuttings or by layers : young plants are much 
the best, if they are strong and healthy. 
Pansies. — Continue to propagate these 
plants for blooming in spring ; those that have 
been blooming hard should be cut pTetty closely 
in the bed, watered, and a slight dressing of 
leaf mould laid about the plant. Rooted cut- 
tings should be planted out, to form fresh 
beds. 
Perennials. — The early sown ones may be 
transplanted in borders of poor soil, to induce 
vigour of constitution, and an early flowering 
habit. 
Picotees require the same treatment as Car- 
nations. — Take an early opportunity of in- 
creasing the stock of these plants by the pro- 
cess of layering, which is a more certain mode 
than piping. 
Pinks — Early in the montli take off the 
pipings for striking, and plant them under 
hand glasses ; the practice of cutting off the 
points of the leaves is not a good one. If seed 
is wanted, remove the decaying petals of the 
flower. 
Polyanthuses. — In the early part of the 
month these may be parted, and planted out 
in a cool situation, partially shaded : a north 
border suits them better than any other 
place. 
Primroses, double. — These may be parted, 
and planted out for increase. The double 
crimson and double white are very beautiful 
kinds, but much less frequently seen than they 
ought to be. They prefer a cool and some- 
what shady situation, and grow in light loam, 
mixed with very old decayed dung and leaf 
mould. 
Ranunculuses. — The late ones should be 
taken up, as soon as the foliage has died down, 
and dried carefully, previously to being stored 
away. They must be looked after very closely, 
or many roots will be left in the ground. 
Rockets. — The double varieties of these 
are very desirable plants, and should now be 
propagated by dividing the plants, and plant- 
ing the divisions in a shady situation. 
Roses may be budded any time this month, 
when the stocks are in a fit state for the ope- 
ration ; that is, when the bark rises freely. 
Cuttings of the China Roses may be put in. 
Rhododendrons. — If there are any seed- 
