160 
THE FLORIST. 
PLANTS FOR EXHIBITION. 
Cinerarias, —As specimen plants will now be in full flower, great 
care must be taken to see that they do not want for water. Weak 
liquid manure may still be given with advantage. Shade through the 
middle of the day, and give all the air you can, avoiding as much as 
possible any strong current passing through them, which curls the 
foliage and deteriorates the quality of the flowers. Still tie down any 
overgrowing shoots to furnish the bottom of the plants, and, as advised 
last month, look well to seedlings for next season’s culture. Pelar¬ 
goniums, —Let the plants be kept clear of each other, that free circula¬ 
tion of air around them may not be impeded; they will also require a 
liberal supply of water, in which they should not be stinted. Treat 
them some three or four times a week with a little manure water 
made by diluting sheep-dung therein. If possible, increasing care and 
attention will now be required. As the plants come into bloom, let 
them be well shaded from the midday sun, and carefully exclude bees 
from the house. The process of tying, as detailed in previous months, 
should be judiciously continued, bearing in mind that, to ensure an 
even head of bloom when exhibited, the flowers should be carefully 
tied out some days previously. In cases where it is wished to reserve 
the bloom for late shows, let the plants be placed in a cold pit or in a 
house with a northern aspect; in each case they may need slight 
protection, and take good care that all are kept clear from green-fly. 
WORK FOR SMALL GARDENS IN MAY. 
Auriculas^ will now be going out of bloom. If seed is desired, take 
the trouble of hybridising ; if not prick off the truss, and place the 
plants in a cool place sheltered from the sun and heavy rains. Pansies, 
—As these go out of bloom cut them down ; put in cuttings in a shady 
border, and be very careful of mildew and dust with sulphur, otherwise no 
autumn cuttings will be obtainable, and these are decidedly the best for 
pot culture. Carnations and Picotees. —Alas ! my little lot is of a very 
shady character, and there is not much prospect of a bloom ; but they 
will require now staking and tying up, as they advance for bloom. 
Bedding out will now be at its height, and those who have been fortu¬ 
nate enough to save theirs will be very busy. It is a subject which 
requires longer directions than can be given in a calendar, and about 
which a great deal has been written in former numbers of the Florist. 
Greenhouse. —As Azaleas, Cinerarias, &c., are removed, more space 
will be given to Geraniums, and where people have only a 12-foot 
house to grow them in this is of some consequence. I of course can 
never presume to stake and tie out, as I like to see variety, and this 
can only be done by having small plants and allowing them to grow 
naturally. Tulips will now be coming into bloom. I hope to have an 
opportunity of seeing some good collections this year. They will require 
now careful shading and protection from weather. In general work 
care will be required to keep all things tidy, the Grass out of walks ; 
and if rain comes, of which we have had a plentiful scarcity lately, 
slugs will have to be watched against. D. 
*Some very interesting notes on new flowers have just reached me (April 26) 
from the Rev. Geo. Jeans, but too late for the present number. 
