290 
PRACTICAL GARDENING. 
often formed into hedges in nurseries and 
gardens, where it serves almost all the pur- 
poses of an evergreen fence. It rises rapidly; 
and, for the uses in question, it will readily 
grow on all descriptions of soil. 
As a timber tree, the Beech is deficient. It 
has been extensively used in some quarters 
lately for bearers to the rails of several rail- 
ways; but, in this respect, it is giving way to 
the pine tribes. For household furniture, 
stocks, and handles for carpenters' tools, &c., 
it continues to be in considerable request; but, 
as the Avood is brittle and uncertain, it can 
never be used, even when of sufficient length, 
for the important offices to which the pine is 
allotted. 
In its living state, then, as an umbrageous 
object, arrayed in its "pomp of leaf," I would 
particularly recommend the Beech. No tree 
raises more pleasing ideas within us whilst it 
is unfolding its buds ; and when its leaves 
are fully expanded, no other foliage, so far as 
I can recollect, reflects the sun's rays so 
brilliantly. 
I am by no means an advocate for clipping 
and shearing, or for distorting in any way the 
productions of Nature ; and least of all for 
clipping trees into figures, either of man or 
beast. There is one idea, however, which, in 
certain situations, I should like to see adopted 
with regard to the Beech. I mean, the forma- 
tion of shady balconies, which might be easily 
formed -with the branches in its growing state. 
These galleries might have a series of seats 
behind, and have balustrades in front, formed 
also of the living tree ; and the steps leading 
to them might be either formed of the live 
branches, or artificially, and woven over with 
the spray. Such seats might be made to com- 
mand a charming view of a flower-garden, or 
such other scene as might be most desirable, 
and would at any rate be prized by many who 
are fond of novelty or seclusion. 
The plants are always raised from seeds, or 
mast, as they are usually called, which ripen 
in October. Immediately after being gathered, 
they should be spread upon an airy loft till 
the month of February, when they may be 
sown in light soil well sheltered. They should 
be sown so as to lie about an inch apart, and, 
if the soil is heavy, covered only to the depth 
of three-fourths of an inch. Alter having 
remained two years in the seed-bed, they will 
be fit to be transplanted into line?, where they 
may stand for a like period, previous to their 
being disposed of for life. 
PRACTICAL GARDENING. 
OPERATIONS FOR JULY. THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
Carnations and Piccotees are now rapidly 
approaching their blooming season, and their 
buds must be reduced to two or three on each 
stem. These stems must be tied loosely to 
the stakes ; as they grow up, the tie should 
slip up with them, otherwise they will require 
constant watching, for the stem, if confined, 
would soon break. They may be watered 
once of half-a-dozen times with liquid manure 
instead of water; it encourages the growth 
of the flowers. As the buds indicate burst- 
ing, have them tied round the middle with 
a piece of bast matting or worsted, and 
tear down the calyx to the tie at each divi- 
sion. And now is the time to dress flowers ; 
we mean, while they are opening ; for when 
the petals are brought down into their places, 
and grow there, we have no trouble in the 
dressing after they are cut. As the guard or 
large petals are developed, they should be 
carefully drawn down with a pair of flat 
pincers, so as to form a circle. As the flower 
advances, bring down enough to make another 
circle of petals, on the top of the first, allowing 
those of the second row to cover the joints of 
those on the first. If in a Bizard you find any 
petal without the two colours and the white, or 
in a flake you find any without the colour and 
the white, you must mark the flower that it will 
not do for showing, or, as an alternative, draw 
the petal out — there may be enough without it. 
As other petals open, you may bring them 
down in a third circle, and so continue, though 
it is seldom a fourth can be made perfect. 
The other petals, beyond sufficient to form 
complete rows, are generally left a confused 
bunch, which is very bad. The confused, ill- 
shaped, and oi'ten ill-coloured petals in the 
centre should be reduced to a few of the best, 
and here, among the centre ones, you must 
be doubly careful to examine for what are 
called run ones ; that is, petals, or bits of 
petals, with no white in them, or no colour in 
them ; or in Bizards with less than three co- 
lours, or two colours and white. It is usual 
to throw out a stand even of the finest 
flowers, if there be the smallest bit of a petal 
(and the centre has frequently such) that is 
deficient in the character of flake or Bizard. 
The flower, which is thus formed while it is 
growing, if done carefully, will far eclipse all 
that are left to be dressed after cutting. When 
the buds are swelling, it is usual among some 
of the great cultivators to water with liquid 
manure. We have never seen the necessity 
of this when the compost has been rightly 
