THE FLORIST. 
135 
several houses, smoke them all, for we are apt to carry plants 
from one to the other without thought, and so introduce tenants 
whose room is better than their company. Make notes of your 
flowers as they open, and observe whether they improve or grow 
worse; whether they are early or late.; such memoranda are 
very useful, particularly to exhibitors. If you raise seedlings, 
make up your mind to be satisfied if you get a novel flower out 
of 500, and do not test them at home, but send them to the 
Florist office for comparison with the best varieties in cultivation. 
John Dobson. 
Pinks —Keep the beds clean, destroy the weeds while young, and not 
allow them to root deeply before you remove them. The surface 
of the soil must be kept open, and in dry weather water liberally, 
that it may reach the roots; for surface watering, when plants 
are growing fast, is of little use. Towards the middle of the 
month, the bloom stems may be thinned out; this will depend on 
the backward or forward state of the season ; but, when about 
four or five inches long, it must be attended to ; if fine blooms 
are required for exhibition, those varieties that produce but few 
petals may be reduced to one stem, such as Hedge’s Gem, 
Headley’s Duke of Northumberland, and others. On the more 
robust sorts, that produce a superfluous number of petals, two or 
three may be left, according to the strength of the plants. While 
putting this into practice, remember the number of shows you 
have to attend, and leave some of the late shoots to come in late, 
and some for the early exhibitions. 
J. T. Neville, 
Polyanthuses. —See that able article on the general management 
and culture of this plant, given in page 86, No. IV. of this work, 
by Dr. Horner, it contains the best instruction that can be given 
on this subject. 
J. T. Neville. 
Ranunculus. —The Ranunculus, though a hardy plant, will be 
benefited by a slight protection from late frosts. Little injury is 
sustained from this cause until the time the flower-buds appear, 
and then one unfortunate late frost is sufficient to blight the 
hopes of the cultivator. Imperfectly-formed buds, a disorder 
called blindness by some florists, is to be attributed to frost. A 
close covering would weaken both foliage and blooms. Flake 
hurdles, which admit air and light, will be found sufficient. 
They should be supported just above the foliage, on short stakes 
driven into the beds. 
Watering .—The Ranunculus delights in a moist soil, and if 
there be a deficiency of rain this month, water must be liberally 
supplied. Use rain or pond-water where accessible ; if this can¬ 
not be had, expose your well-water to the action of the sun 
before using. Apply it between the rows, and not over the 
foliage. If the weather be mild, water in the evening; it will be 
more lasting and useful than the same quantity applied in the 
