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COMPANION TO THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 
Flower Garden .—This is a good time to propagate Antirrhinums, Pen- 
stemons, Phloxes, Hollyhocks, and other border flowers. As in all these 
classes there are now so many fine varieties, we would strongly urge the 
immediate discarding of all inferior varieties. Bedding plants should 
now also be propagated; if a cool border is at hand, there is no better 
place. Here place cuttings of Geraniums, Gazania, etc.; Calceolarias 
we do not propagate until much later in the season, and they then make 
excellent plants for the following spring. The beds should now be attended 
to, pegging down Verbenas, lopping off superfluous shoots, and in general 
keeping all in excellent order. 
Florists’ Flowers .—Auriculas should now be repotted ; from experience 
we recommend 32-sized pots, and a mixture of cowdung, loam, and leaf- 
mould, either in equal proportions, or one-half of the former to one-fourth 
of each of the loam and leaf-mould; all the materials to be well rotted 
and well incorporated. After repotting, keep the frames close and 
shaded for a few days, giving a gentle supply of water, and then gra¬ 
dually give more air. Keep them from the rays of the sun and from 
heavy rains; in fact, we never allow ours to have any rain. Carnations 
and Picotees should now be layered ; a light soil is the best to layer them 
all; gently syringe the pots when completed, and carefully attend to this 
for some time unless we have rain. Dahlias will now require a good 
deal of attention; water carefully and mulch them, if this dry weather 
continue; tie out the shoots, then thin them out where too crowded. 
Hollyhocks may now be propagated in a gentle hotbed. The side shoots 
answer for this purpose. The spikes of bloom may now also be shortened, 
where size and quality are desired, otherwise they look more graceful 
when allowed to grow naturally. Pansies may, at the end of the month, 
be propagated, and will make nice plants for spring blooming. Pinks, 
as soon as well rooted, may be removed into store-beds, to make growth 
for planting out by-and-by. Boses will be all the better for watering, 
where it can be done ; and where it has not been done, budding should be 
completed. We fear that this will be a bad season for the operation, as, 
owing to the very dry weather, both the bud and stock are apt to shrivel. 
A cabbage-leaf thrown lightly over the bud will be a great advantage in 
shading it from the suiTs rays. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Received, letters of C. T.; J. V.; W. and Co. ; C. P. B. 
Ignoramus wishes to know “ what a quinquevulnerous Geranium is —botanical 
pedantry run mad, to describe a Geranium with a spot in each petal. 
J• T.—The petals are not those of Gloire de Bordeaux ; some other Rose has been 
sent to you in mistake. 
F.—We do not believe that Bisa grandiflora is in the catalogues ; inquire of Mr. 
Veitcli, who we know has it. 
I.—Mr. B. S. Williams, of Seven Sisters Road, has the stock of Cypripe§ium 
Dayanum. 
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