1870. ] 
A POLYANTHUS EXHIBITION OF THE OLDEN TYPE. 
93 
flower, and, wlien obtained from a good strain, 
the flowers will be large and handsomely 
marked. Saxifraga nepalensis is another fine 
subject; quite small plants throw up immense 
branched flower-spikes bearing white flowers. 
Large-flowered Pelargoniums should have a few’ 
of the side-shoots pinched out, that the main 
branches may have ample room to develop. 
Green-fly must be watched for, and the plants 
fumigated when needed. Fuchsias need to be 
kept tied out into shape ; a symmetrical appear¬ 
ance in the plants greatly enhances the aspect 
of the house when they are neatly arranged. 
Zonal Pelargoniums require pinching back 
where the shoots are making a more lengthy 
growth than others : a little thinning out of the 
side-shoots will be of advantage also. Younger 
plants of the foregoing, coming on for succes¬ 
sion, will require a shift. If they get pot- 
bound and become dry, serious results follow. 
Cold Frames.—Auriculas and Polyanthuses 
that have been repotted should bo set in the 
cold frame, where it is cool and moist, at 
least moister than in the sun. All the hardy 
plants that were so useful in making the green¬ 
house gay in early spring, should find a place 
here if they are not to be planted out in prepared 
beds. Such things as Primroses., double and 
single, fancy and gold-laced Polyanthuses, ex¬ 
cept they be of scarce and valuable sorts, 
Prinmla 7iivea, intermedia, denticulata, pur- 
purea, marginata, japonica, &c., are all best 
planted out in good light soil, to make growth 
during summer, and be lifted in autumn for pot¬ 
ting and placing in the cold frame. Pots of Grape 
Hyacinths, lAlium Thunhergianum, and others, 
Saxifragagranulata, adelightful subject for pots, 
Dianthuses, and Primida silJdmensis, are now 
blooming, and can be taken to the greenhouse 
as required. Double Pyrethrums, Gladioli, 
and a few other things in pots are coming on 
also. The cold frame comes in handy just 
now for hardening off Zinnias, Asters, Stocks, 
Thunhergias, Petunias, Lophospermums,Tropceo- 
liims, &c., raised from seed and destined to go out 
in the open ground; also Calceolarias, Pelargoni¬ 
ums, Perilla, Centaureas, &c.,that are 
required for the flower-beds, or to fill up places 
in the mixed border. While the weather keeps 
wet and cold, and the wind is in the north, 
only such air as is required to form a sturdy 
growth need be given; if the opening days of 
June bring a much desired change, give air 
more abundantly. 
Flower Garden. —All bedding-out operations 
wull have to be done later than usual this year. 
The ground is wet and cold, and all the plants 
are late. All that the gardener can do is to 
harden-off his plants and have his beds pre¬ 
pared, and then put out the most robust sub¬ 
jects first, reserving the tenderest to the last. 
Well may he ask himself,—Will the summer 
never come ? All spring gardening arrange¬ 
ments will be in their beauty just about the 
end of June, and if they are not sacrificed, the 
summer bedding will be very late. Weeds are 
growing apace in garden walks and on borders, 
and there is plenty of sweeping. Creepers need 
tying and nailing into place, or they, and espe¬ 
cially the strong-growing Clematises, will grow 
very wild. The decaying flower-stems of 
Hyacinths, Narcissi, Tulips, Crown Imperials, 
&c., should be cut away as they become shabby, 
but not a single leaf. Carnations and Picotees, 
Hollyhocks, Phloxes, Delpihiniums, Lilies, &c., 
need to be staked, and then there is no fear of 
danger from rude winds. 
Kitchen Garden. —Lots of seeds have rotted 
in the ground, and any that do grow are half 
eaten by the slugs. The soil lies as cold as 
it did in winter, and Sol sheds no invigorating 
heat to warm it into a generous force. 
The latest crops of Peas, some more Dwarf 
French Beans and Scarlet Runners, also 
7fa(f<s/ies, should be sown ; Endive and Lettuces 
planted out; Onion, Carrot, and Parsnip beds 
weeded and thinned out, as soon as the latter 
operation can be performed ; Celery put out 
into trenches; Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, 
Savoys, and Kales put out into vacant ground ; 
and Cabbages from the seed-beds pricked out 
into store-beds to grow into size. Sow Turnips 
once a fortnight. Hoe the ground well about 
crops, and keep the weeds down. Draw some 
soil about the Potatos coming through the 
ground, in case of frost. Beet should be 
thinned out as required; to have good roots, 
they should be about nine inches apart. 
Fruit Garden. —Towards the end of the 
month Peach and Nectarine trees will require 
pruning, by rubbing off foreright shoots, i.e., 
those coming outwards, taking care to leave a 
good supply of young w’ood for bearing next 
year. Apricots will require thinning where 
they are numerous enough, that the fruit may 
have room in -which to swell; towards the end 
of the month. Peaches and Nectarines should 
be similarly treated. We have had to endure 
several sharp frosts, but there is reason to hope 
the crops have not suffered materially. In 
some places the Plum blossom has been cut 
back, but, on the whole, w-e may hope to have 
a fair supply of fruit to compensate us for the 
long winter and the uncongenial spring.— 
SuBUBBANUS. 
A POLYANTHUS EXHIBITION 
OF THE OLDEN TYPE, 
E have to thank the Rev. F. D. Horner 
for sending us the following report of 
a florist exhibition of the real, old- 
fashioned type,—a small affair, but one of those 
little inextinguishable embers of true love and 
interest in florist flowers that have kept the 
