1868. J 
SEASONABLE GARDENING HINTS.-MAY. 
105 
for summer and autumn decoration, or used for young specimens of hard- 
wooded greenhouse plants, or for the growth of Cucumbers or Melons. 
All plants in-doors will now need great attention in watering ; they 
must on no account be allowed to suffer for want of water, neither must 
they have too much given them. Plants not in flower should he occasion¬ 
ally syringed. No insects must be allowed to establish themselves on 
any plants. If they do they will soon multiply, and the difficulty of dis¬ 
lodging them will be greater. All young plants potted early in the season 
will now he growing away freely, and will require some attention in stop¬ 
ping the shoots, and in tying-out and training to the desired form. I must 
again urge the necessity of giving all the air possible that the state of the 
weather will permit. Insects, plants “ drawn up,” weak growth, and short¬ 
lived specimens, are some of the results of want of air and light. As soon 
as the flowers of Azaleas and other greenhouse plants begin to fade, they, 
should be all picked off at once. 
The chief work in the flower garden the latter part of the month will 
he putting out the “bedding” plants. If the plants have been properly 
hardened-off (which they should be), this work maybe commenced after the 
middle of the month should the weather be mild and favourable. I strongly 
recommend deep cultivation, and prefer making the soil of good depth to 
using too much manure. If the soil be of a light sandy nature, some 
manure may be mixed with it for Variegated Pelargoniums, and if the soil 
be strong and heavy, leaf mould may be added to it. I would also advise 
planting deeply; the roots will soon strike downwards—their natural 
tendency, and the plants will by the middle of June, when some people are 
in the height of their planting, be able to stand the hot weather without 
the constant use of the watering pot. Mixed borders should now be gone 
carefully over, all plants that may require it should be tied-up neatly, the 
borders made clean, and all the vacant places filled up with Dahlias, 
Fuchsias, Heliotropes, Salvias, &c. The runners of Neapolitan Violets should 
now be taken off and pricked-out on a north border, about a foot apart every 
way; they should be watered occasionally until they get established. 
One of the principal operations in the kitchen garden will be the timely 
and proper thinning of all the young growing crops. The ground between 
the rows must be kept frequently stirred with a hoe. Early Potatos must 
be kept well eartlied-up as they grow. A few rows of early Celery should 
be put out, and a quantity of young plants should be pricked-out for plant¬ 
ing late. Towards the end of the month a good sowing of the true Wal- 
cheren Cauliflower should be made for next autumn and winter use. 
Spring-sown Cauliflowers and Lettuces should be planted. Sowings of 
Peas, Broad Beans, Kidney Beans, Turnips, Spinach, and Lettuces should 
be made, to come into use after those sown last month. 
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