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PLANTS AND PLANT JUDGING. 
139 
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duly encouraged. If the young growth is of sufficient length stop the plants at once, so as to get 
the second growth in good time to ensure its setting flower buds, and old plants as they go out of 
bloom should be introduced into heat to make their new growth, for most of the finer kinds, if they do 
not make an early growth, it is impossible to get them to flower with any certainty. Some of the 
more forward of the Camellias will be forming their flower buds ; such, unless they are wanted to 
flower in August or September, should be removed to a cooler place, but be cautious that you do not 
expose them suddenly to the full glow of sunlight. Young stock, both in the stove and greenhouse, 
will be growing vigorously : attend to timely shifting, and as light is nearly at its maximum, make the 
most of it, by affording the plants every encouragement. Water copiously, when the plants require it, 
using weak liquid manure occasionally, and keep a lively growing temperature, and the atmosphere 
abundantly supplied with moisture. No plants are more grateful for good treatment than the soft- 
wooded stove things, such as Clerodendrons, Dipladenias, <lc ; with a nice bottom and a brisk and 
moist growing temperature, the progress they make in a few days is most remarkable and gratifying. 
Heaths and greenhouse plants, at this season, also grow more rapidly than in the hot weather of sum- 
mer. Shade them slightly in very bright sunshine, and keep a nice sweet, healthy, and moist atmo- 
sphere around them. Attend to timely stopping of the young growth, and repot any plants that may 
require it. Soft-wooded plants, as Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, and the like, will require plenty of air, 
and they must never know the want of water ; give liquid manure once or twice a week, especially to 
those kinds whose pots are full of roots ; and thin tie and regulate the growth of the successional stock. 
The first stock of these plants will be advancing rapidly into bloom, therefore shade them when neces- 
sary, and guard against bees by netting the houses with fine netting. The hybridiser and cross-breeder 
will now find abundant occupation, his flowers will require daily attention ; and if he does not guard 
against the bees, his labour may be lost. Ventilate the houses freely, both night and day, but especi- 
ally early in the morning, so as to allow the confined air to pass off freely, and without condensing 
upon the plants. Those who grow grapes in the greenhouse will require to attend to their vines by 
removing superfluous shoots, and by stopping the young growth one joint above the fruit. Plants 
in pits will require the usual attention, and a good batch of Achimenes, Gloxinias, Gcsneras, Cocks- 
combs, Balsams, Globe Amaranthuses, &c., &c., started now, and grown on in pits or frames will be 
found exceedingly useful by and by. Sow a litt'o Cineraria, Primula, Humca, and such like plauts, 
and encourage previous sowings. 
In the Forcing Garden the Cucumbers will be in full bearing, and the Melons swelling their fruits. 
Plant successional crops, and sow another pinch or two of seed for the last crops, Remove litter from 
Seakale, Rhubarb, &c, fork the ground over, and give the first a good dressing of salt, and the Rhu- 
barb some manure water. Make a mushroom bed in a cold corner, and for the chance of a crop. Prick 
out celery, attend to Basil, Marjoram, &c, and plant out Tomatoes when sufficiently hardened. 
In the Open Garden wall-trees will require the first attention, by timely disbudding and regulat- 
ing the crop so as to ensure its setting and stoning properly. So far appearances are in favour of a 
good crop of fruit this season, though the heavy rains in March were anything but favourable to Apri- 
cots and other stone fruits. Keep a look out for insects, and apply the usual remedies in good time. 
Vines on walls will also require attention, and the Gooseberry caterpillars must also be destroyed in 
time. Give strawberries a good soaking of liquid manure the first time they are dry, and then mulch 
them with clean straw or long grass immediately. Seedling Alpine Strawberries, for a late crop, must 
also be planted out in rich ground; and those that have been forced, if planted out now, will probably 
give another crop in the autumn. Get in successional crops of Peas, Beans, French and Runner Beans, 
Spinach, Radishes, Lettuce and other salad plants; also, small sowings of Cauliflower and Cape 
Brocoli, Cabbage, Savoys, Turnips, &c. Attend to those crops in a growing state, and directly a 
piece of ground is vacant, manure, trench, and plant another crop. Cucumbers and Vegetable Marrows 
must also be planted out when. the ridges are ready. 
Those routine operations of mowing, sweeping, hoeing, raking, &c., we say nothing about, as we 
suppose every person to understand when they ought to be attended to. 
PLANTS AND PLANT JUDGING. 
JH S the season is fast advancing when judgment in plant management, bo as to decide the -kill of 
iC\ competing cultivators, will be required, a few suggestions on the pi incipli - which ought to guide 
censors, may not be out of place, and if observed, may prevent some of those who have not studied the 
subject from perpetrating such errors as unfortunately they are t"u much accustomed to fall into. The 
object of most horticultural societies is to encourage skill in cultivation, or, in other words, to n ward 
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