Wj TUE METROPOLITAN JULY EXHIBITIONS. 237 WC 
periodical precludes our noticing every particular necessaiy in the flower-garden at this season. "We 
would therefore say, decide upon your arrangements for the coming year at once, and then provide 
stock of everything that you are likely to require. 
Among florists' flowers, continue to increase Pansies as fast as possible ; and Pinks, if the wood is 
not too hard, may yet be put in with success, more especially if you have a nice bottom heat. Proceed 
with the layering of Carnations and Picotees, both in pots and the open ground, and supply the Dahlias 
and Hollyhocks plentifully with manure-water. The late rains have improved these plants very 
much, and no doubt we shall have a splendid bloom of them this autumn. Phloxes are now coming 
into bloom, and we would just remind hybridisers there is a wide field open for them in their improve- 
ment. Auriculas and Polyanthuses are still in a shaded place ; take care to guard against red spider 
and thrips, and also against worms in the pots. Those who grow Chrysanthemums for exhibition 
must take care to attend to them at this season. 
The greenhouse plants are now principally in the open ah' ; supply them occasionally with weak 
liquid manure, and take care that neither the spider, thrip, nor mildew, is injuring them. For each of 
these pests sulphur is a good remedy, and is best applied with a sulphurator while the plants are wet. 
Some of the fast-growing kinds may require another shift, and such things as Pimelcas which have 
been cut back, when they have made shoots an inch long, may, if they require it, be shifted into larger 
pots. Late blooming greenhouse plants must be cut in early, and Pheenoeomas and Aphelexes should 
have the flowers removed, cutting them close in without delay. Look to winter-blooming plants, 
such as Epacris, Heaths, Styphclias, &c, and take care to get the growth thoroughly ripened, as upon 
that their blooming in a great measure depends. Remove the flowers of late-blooming Heaths directly 
they become shabby, so as to start the plants into new growth. Azaleas are still growing, so keep 
them progressing ; but when a plant shows a disposition to go to rest let it do so, and expose it to the 
full sun to l'ipen the growth and set the flower-buds. Pelargoniums, both " Fancies " and the common 
kinds, must be cut down without delay, and those cut down last month, if they have made shoots an 
inch long, may be potted, taking care to insure liberal shifts in the growing season by putting them 
into small pots at this time. 
In the fruit-garden, wall-trees must have strict attention, as to nailing and keeping them clear of 
insects ; unfortunately, in most places there is not much fruit to protect, but where there is, take 
timely precaution. The planting out of the Brassicas, and other winter crops, will be the principal 
operations ; but take care to sow good breadths of Turnips and Spinach for winter use, and also of 
Itadishcs, Lettuce, and other salad plants. Complaints of the Potato disease have reached us, but 
we have not much faith in them ; still it will be well to keep watch, so as to take the usual 
remedies in time. If not done already, lose no time in putting out the remainder of the Celery crop, 
and prepare ground for new plantations of Strawberries. Another crop of French Beans and Early 
Peas may yet be sown for the chance of a crop. — P. 
THE METROPOLITAN JULY EXHIBITIONS. 
If] N OTHER season has passed over, and once more the exhibitor's troubles are at an end — at least so 
iCV far as running about to shows is concerned ; and he begins to think of the coming year. Perhaps 
a more brilliant season was never passed, and the thousands of foreigners who have visited our shores 
will return impressed no doubt with the skill of English gardeners ; for though our continental friends 
may know more of scientific botany, they cannot compete with us in the art and mystery of specimen 
plant manufacture, neither can they even on the banks of the Rhine grow grapes such as they have 
seen and tasted in this country. The great fault appears to us to be cultivating collections instead of 
selections of plants, and hence a great number, rather than quality, is the tiling aimed at. Those, 
however, who arc the most successful exhibitors, rarely cultivate many more plants than they require 
to carry them through the season, and hence their attention being concentrated, tiny are able to bring 
the plants out in first-rate style, and directly the shows are over they begin again with nil the enthu- 
siasm which a devoted love of the subject can alone induce. But a few days back we bad a bouse 
filled with plants, each clothed with flowers and of wondrous beauty; but the shows are over, the 
plants have been cut down, and now they present a wretched appearance. And so exhibitors go on 
year after year, and it is no uncommon thing with them to cut a plant down in tin midfil of its bloom, 
or to denude it of its bloom for the purpose of preparing it for another season. This maj appear 
wantonness, hul the giij thousands who admire the gorgeous productions placed upon the tables ut n 
Louden Exhibition, know little of the trouble, cost, and anxiety which have brought them to such 
j j ^f! , l^fj 
