254 
THE FLORIST. 
flower in hot weather. As there is a profusion of flower at this season 
in the open garden there is no necessity for attempting a great display 
here. A few good specimen plants in flower, effectively arranged, will 
make them look gay, and will at the same time give the permanent 
inmates a chance of maturing their wood. Climbers will require some 
attention; to insure abundance of bloom a judicious thinning of the 
shoot is necessary. A too free use of the knife in an indiscriminate 
cutting back of the young shoots is a certain means of producing more 
young wood and a scarcity of flowers. And this frequently occurs by 
people neglecting in time to thin and train the shoots of climbers until 
they become so entangled that they must be cut away to make a tidy 
appearance. 
Cucumbers .—Attend to previous directions as to air, shade, and 
water. If greenfly should appear, fumigate two or three evenings 
successively. Should there be any appearances of mildew, dust with 
sulphur and remove every leaf that can be spared. Plants intended 
for winter bearing should now be planted out; they should have plenty 
of air, so that they may grow strong and robust. 
Carnations and Picotees .—The bloom this year has not generally 
been good; a point of great advantage is gained, however, as the 
layering can be completed in good time. After this has been done, 
careful attention to the watering will be all that is needed for the 
remainder of the month. 
Cinerarias .—These will now be throwing up suckers ; remove the 
strongest and insert them round the edges of the pots well drained, in a 
light sandy compost, and place them in a cool frame in a shady situation. 
Look over frequently, and remove any decaying leaves, to prevent their 
damping. Give a little air of an evening, and pot off as soon as rooted 
(which will be in a few days) into a light loose compost, and keep close 
for a few days. Prick off such seedlings as are large enough, and sow 
for later blooming. Prepare soil for autumn potting by throwing up 
into a heap parts of good turfy loam and partly decomposed stable 
manure; turn occasionally, so as to thoroughly incorporate them. A 
little sand will be necessary when ready for potting. 
Dahlias .—It is advisable to go over the plants twice a week to 
remove all superfluous small shoots and buds, but this must be done 
with care and judgment, only cutting away a little at a time, leaving 
large sized varieties full of wood for a time. Do not be afraid of 
watering during dry weather, and in addition to this give the plants a 
good sprinkling overhead every evening after the sun has left them. 
Secure the side shoots by tying them to stakes, in doing which draw 
them from the centre, to overcome weakness by crowding the shoots. 
Earwigs are a great plague, and should be got under before the bloom 
commences, to prevent their destroying the finest of the first lot of 
blooms. 
Flower Gardens .—These will now be in the height of their beauty 
and grandeur, and every pains must be taken to keep them so as long 
as possible ; every decayed leaf and flower, and all straggling loose 
growths, should be carefully removed. Keep the masses of flowers as 
regular and complete as possible. Attend well to the watering of plants 
