Max 22] 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
117 
I 
I 
FLORISTS 5 FLOWERS. 
MR. GLENNY’S OPINIONS ON FLORISTS’ 
FLOWERS. 
(W. B., of Manchester.) Cinerarias.- —Psyche, 
Pythens, Gladiator, and New Rainbow. The first a 
good blue for bedding out, the colour and habit alone 
recommending it. The others worthless. 
(D. 31., Dorset.) Pansy. —Phenomenon. Too thin, ! 
eye breaks into margin. No use. 
(P. P. James.) Gloxinias. —Not one of them new. 
(H) Cineraria. —Marianne. A good advance; ! 
quite an acquisition. 
(IV.) Mimulus. —A monster in size, and very gay, 
but no advance in form. It should be sent out at the 
price of an approved flower. 
Auriculas, done blooming, place in their summer 
position behind alow north wall, giving but little water, 
and that only in dry weather. 
Polyanthuses will be greatly benefitted by being 
placed in the same position, and saucers put under the 
pots. We have repeatedly proved the advantage of this j 
point of culture. It keeps the roots cool, and prevents 
the attacks of that deadly enemy the red spider. 
Hollyhocks. —These stately autumn flowers require 
every attention during this, to them, early part of the 
year. If not already done (as advised before), place j 
some short dung round each plant, and give copious 
waterings in dry weather. Stake and tie early, or a fine 
flower shoot might be broken off unexpectedly. Where 
the shoots are numerous a few may be taken off from 
the named varieties, put in as cuttings in a gentle hot¬ 
bed, struck and planted out immediately. These make 
flue strong plants for the next season. Seedlings should 
now be planted out in rows, six inches apart, as soon as 
they are strong enough, and will then be strong to stand 
the rigour of the winter. 
Pansies in bloom shade from bright sunshine; put 
in cuttings early, to ensure good plants to bloom in 
autumn. Transplant seedlings as soon as they are large 
enough for that purpose. 
Pinks place sticks to, and tie loosely. If not yet 
done, lose no time in giving them a top dressing. 
Verbenas for exhibition in July or August give the 
last potting to. Place sticks to and tie out those in a 
forward state for exhibition next month. 
Tultps continue to shade, to prolong the season of 
bloom as long as possible. 
Water freely all florists’ flowers yet to bloom. The 
dry weather appears to be set in, rendering a liberal 
supply necessary. T. Appleby. 
THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 
Routine Work. —Basil and Sweet Mar jorum plant 
out on rich, warm borders, and make an out-door sow¬ 
ing. Thin out Beet, and sow Borage. Prick off Borecole \ 
and Brussels Sprouts, as well as all kinds of Kales and 
early sown Brocolis. Plant out in succession a few and I 
often of the spring-sown Cauliflowers, and duly en¬ 
courage the growth of previous plantings, by applica¬ 
tions of liquid manure. Leave a portion of the early 
cabbage stumps for producing a summer’s crop of 
sprouting cabbage, and plant in succession, and make 
another sowing. Plant out Capsicums also, and make 
another sowing of Carrots. Continue to prick in suc¬ 
cession the principal crop of Celery, and encourage the 
growth of the early by frequent applications of liquid 
manure. Celery under glass for early culinary pur¬ 
poses, will require very liberal applications of water; the 
bleaching earth should be applied early, and a watchful 
eye kept over the green fly, and the various aphides, 
which are apt to be very prevalent among early crops— 
washing with soap-suds, and fumigating with tobacco, 
are the ready means of eradicating such pests. 
Sea-kale should, at this season, have some care be¬ 
stowed on it; the crowns, if they have not already had 
their final thinning, should be attended to at once, it 
should be kept well surface-stirred and loose, and its 
growth and all bloom-stalks, with the exception of one or 
two intended for seed, carefully cut off, the earth about it 
should be kept freely encouraged by frequent applications 
of good liquid manure, with salt dissolved in it. Such 
treatment will produce fine, luxuriant plants, and strong 
crowns for the next season’s forcing. Single out the 
seedlings now up in drills in due season. 
Rhubarb being a gross feeding plant, great luxuriance 
may be obtained by the liberal assistance of strong 
liquid manure. 
Plant out in succession French Beans and Scarlet 
Runners, and the late varieties of Peas, and sow early 
Turnips. Dredge the growing crop with charred dust, 
to prevent the ravages of the fly and encourage a free 
growth. Single out in due season. Encourage the 
growth of Onions, and all spring-sown crops, by frequent 
surface-stirrings; do not allow a weed to make its ap¬ 
pearance in any part, or the earth’s surface to get bound 
or caked. Lettuce, mark for seed. Sowings should, for 
the summer months, be made thinly in shallow drills, 
and be duly thinned out, which often answers the desired 
purpose much better than transplanting in the heat of 
summer. The same plan also answers for Cape brocoli 
and late Cauliflowers. If any fear is entertained of the 
root-grub, apply soakings of soap-suds and strong soot- 
water, which, intermixed, is a preventive against the 
ravages of the grub, and an excellent stimulant to the 
plants. 
Framing. —Continue to top up the linings syste¬ 
matically ; apply air previously to the rays of the sun 
falling on the glass; shut up early of an afternoon; keep 
the vine tolerably thin, and regulate the crop of fruit to 
the strength of the plants. 
3Ielons full-grown, and about changing colour, should 
be freely aired, and a small portion left on at night, as 
without air applied after a long dull, sunless, time, the 
fruit very frequently cracks open, after which they are 
spoiled and worthless. 
Mushroom structures should now he kept cold and 
shaded ; the interior damped with cold water, and the 
surface of the beds, if dry, should be sprinkled with 
tepid water. James Barnes. 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS SUITABLE FOR SPRING DECORATION. 
I 
( Continued from pay e 10L) 
Having mentioned the plants I have successfully used 
for white, scarlet, and yellow beds, I now come to one of a 
mixed character, and shall introduce a well-known florists’ 
flower for that purpose—the Pstnsy, than which I have 
found nothing more suitable. I do not mean the fancy 
varieties with high-sounding names and delicate habit— 
these I would allow the enthusiastic florist to retain, nurse, 
and keep away the mildew in August if he can. For my 
purpose I sow seed from the best flowers I can obtain, about 
the end of June or beginning of July; if sown thin, the 
seedlings stand in the seed-bed until November; but if 
too thick; they are pricked out to some suitable place three 
