188 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
Dahlias are now rewarding the grower for his pains, but his 
trouble is not over; unless they are kept constantly secured to 
their stakes, an hour’s wind may destroy them all. The blooms 
are a favourite object of attack to earwigs ; and, though various 
means have been devised to prevent their depredations, we believe 
there is nothing better than placing traps, and constantly killing 
them. Flowers intended for exhibition should be protected from 
their first opening in small boxes, made to fit on to the stakes, 
with a movable glass slide in front; the small opening in the 
bottom, through which the stem of the flower passes, should 
be filled with wool dipped in oil; this effectually prevents the 
ingress of insects, and keeps off rain, sun, &c. If fine flowers 
are desired, the buds should be thinned, and some strong-growing 
kinds are the better for a liberal pruning : if the weather is dry, 
rotten leaves, or other mulch, should be laid round the stems. 
See that all are correctly named. 
Layers of Picotees and Carnations should be taken off as 
soon as they are well rooted. Place two or three in a 48 pot, 
using a rather light soil, and place them ready for removal to 
their standing for the winter. Keep Chrysanthemums well 
supplied with water : liquid manure once a week will greatly 
assist them. Prepare beds for planting Tulips, Hyacinths, Ane¬ 
mones, and Iris. Hyacinths, &c., for early forcing, should be 
potted by the middle of the month. Plants for bedding out next 
season should be got up and potted, and frames and other 
places intended for their preservation through the winter got 
ready for their reception: if these are not large enough to 
admit a stage, a thick stratum of ashes should be laid on the 
bottom, on which the pots may be placed.- One of the best 
means of preserving half-hardy plants is afforded by a pit, the 
sides being built of turf or sods from a meadow, cut about a 
foot wide : these placed closely and firmly together, and secured 
by a few stakes driven through them into the ground, and the 
top covered with common garden lights, are quite equal to a 
greenhouse. 
Pot off the annuals sown last month, and sow a few more. 
Rhodanthe and Lisianthus succeed now. China Roses strike 
freely now. Transplanting of trees and shrubs may commence 
at the end of the month. 
