1877. ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
ir>7 
the newly-planted plants will flag under the influence of hot sun and drying winds, 
even if kept moist at the roots. A sprinkling overhead of an evening with water 
exposed to the sun during the day is of great service, giving an occasional water¬ 
ing at the roots when the weather is dry. 
In the mixed border, Stocks, Asters, Marigolds, and indeed all newly-planted 
subjects will require careful attention as to watering; everything of this character 
should now be planted out, or they will be late in blooming. 
Pink pipings should be put in under hand-glasses on a shady border, using a 
sandy soil, and towards the end of the month Carnations, Cloves, and Picotees may 
be layered. In dull moist weather Boses should be budded. The grass-plat 
should now be kept smooth and nice, and the gravel-walks clear of weeds, 
as well managed paths and lawns greatly enhance the appearance of the flower- 
garden. 
Kitchen and Fruit Garden. —Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower should be got 
out without delay, as soon as the ground can be cleared, and rain is falling. It 
is a good plan to stop the points of the Scarlet Bunners, as the plants branch out 
towards the bottom. The shoots of Longpod and Windsor Beans are best picked 
off; this should be done when the lowermost flowers begin. to fall. A little 
Early York or Improved Nonpareil Cabbage should be sown during the month, 
i’or spring use. The runners of Bidge Cucumbers and Vegetable Marrows need 
to be thinned out, and the points of the lowest shoots pinched out. Turnips 
and Turnip Eddishes and a little Summer Spinach may be sown for successive 
crops. As soon as the ground is cleared of crops, it should be dug and 
replanted. Use the hoe among all growing crops, stirring the soil, and keeping 
it free from weeds. 
. Peach and Nectarine trees on walls require attention, thinning-out useless 
shoots, and laying-in those required for fruiting-wood. Vines should have the 
lateral shoots broken off; and when the fruit has set, occasional syringings may 
be given with advantage. Tornatos should be kept nailed to walls, pinching out 
the laterals, and giving the fruit space. Blight of all kinds is sadly affecting 
fruit-trees, and leaves affected by it should be picked off, and the trees fre¬ 
quently syringed. Cleanliness is indispensable to the well-being of fruit-trees.—D. 
GAKDEN GOSSIP. 
^ ^T was noticed last autumn that the setting of the blossom-buds on the American 
Plants was profuse, and the consequent promise for the present season’s bloom 
much greater than it had been for many years past. This promise has been 
realisedj the present year’s show of Bhododendrons at Knap Hill, their head¬ 
quarters in England, has been more than usually gorgeous. The bloom has been brilliant, 
notwithstanding that it has not altogether escaped injury from the bitter cold of May 4, the 
effect of which, though not noticeable to the general observer, was to bo seen in the occa¬ 
sional want of the terminal flowers, or their stunted and crumpled appearance. Fortunately, 
the hardy Azaleas, w'hich have for several years been so unlucky as to be severely punished 
by the late spring frosts, have this season escaped injury, and the consequent glorious masses 
of their brilliant colours more than compensate for any little damage sustained by the 
Rhododendrons. 
- 5boME beautiful new A quilegias have been recently sliown by Mr. 
.Tames Douglas, of Loxford Hall, Ilford— A. hijhrida ca^rnlea^ the result of a 
cross between A. ccerulea and A. clirysantlia, and exactly intermediate between 
the two, the spurs and sepals being pale blue in colour, and the petals yellow ; and A. hyhrida 
