128 
1 
THE FLORIST. 
on any account leave too many on; by being content with a moderate 
crop, the fruit will be fine, and the trees with proper management will 
be in a condition to do good work another season. Secure a moist 
growing atmosphere by syringing the trees daily and sprinkling the 
floor of the house. Maintain a' temperature of from 56° to 60°. 
Water well all the-borders when they require it. 
Pelargoniums .—Those plants intended for early bloom will now 
show their flower-buds above the foliage, as the varieties designed for 
the May exhibitions should be doing this. Unless they are specially 
intended for exhibition purposes, the less they are hurried into bloom 
the better; they should have time allowed them to expand properly 
and grow to a good size. These remarks apply to the May plants. 
Tie into form the shoots as they grow; a Pelargonium cannot be made 
a handsome plant by once or even twice tying out the shoots ; it 
requires to be done carefully, a little at a time, as the shoots elongate. 
During the brightest part of a sunny day, the plants will derive great 
benefit from the shading being spread on the house for a short time 
only. Carefully examine the plants twice a day in dry, harsh weather, 
to ascertain if any require water. After a warm bright day moisten 
'the house a little after closing it. Prepare soil for the autumn potting, 
if not already done. 
Pinery .—Secure neatly to stakes the fruit, in order to keep them in 
an erect position. Keep a moist atmosphere and water liberally. The 
young stock should now be potted; strong plants with good roots may 
have a liberal shift, but in general we do not like large shifts at this 
potting; we prefer giving them small shifts at this potting, and as soon 
as they have filled these with roots (which they in general will in a few 
weeks), to give them liberal shifts. There may be a little more labour 
in this plan, but the plants will make more rapid progress by this 
method. In potting, press the soil firmly; when potted they should be 
plunged into a bottom heat of about 85°, and they should have a moist 
atmosphere and a liberal supply of air, but they should not be watered 
for two or three weeks, by that time the roots will be through the balls. 
After this they will grow rapidly. 
Pinks .—Fill up any vacancies occasioned by the winter from those 
grown and wintered in pots for that purpose. 
Pleasure Ground .—Pay particular attention to newly planted trees, 
the strong winds of the past month have been very trying to them. 
Finish all alterations as speedily as possible. Roll the Grass frequently. 
Roses .—Attention to rubbing off buds now will save much trouble 
hereafter, and the plants will be much benefited by checking useless 
growth. Complete pruning of Tea-scented and other tender varieties. 
To repeat that those cultivated in pots require the syringe and liquid 
manure can be scarcely necessary. 
Tulips .—These must now be carefully watched, a hail-storm would 
do them irreparable injury; neither should they be allowed to have any 
rain fall on them for a time, until they are more secure from spring 
frosts, being now in a state to hold water, and should it freeze after a 
wet day the young bud would in all probability get much injured. 
Cover also at night, but not till late in the day if the weather be fine. 
