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MAY. 157 
middle of the month, the stronger plants of things which are not liable 
to be injured by a slight frost may be planted out ; but be particular to 
have everything well inured to the weather before planting out, and it 
will be better to defer until towards the end of the month than to plant 
out things which have not been exposed to the weather. See that the 
plants are perfectly clear of insects before planting out, especially Calceo- 
larias, and do not allow any of the stock in small pots to suffer through 
the want of water. Keep the shoots of Cinerarias and Calceolarias well 
tied out, and remove any decaying leaves directly they can be perceived ; 
and attend carefully to the plants with water, affording them during dry 
bright weather as moist an atmosphere as possible, and shading them 
from the mid-day sun, lower Garden.—Get the beds, &c., prepared 
for their summer occupants, thoroughly pulverising the soil by occasional 
diggings where this can be done; and also get the arrangement for 
planting decided upon at once, so as to be able to add manure or leaf 
soil for such things as will be benefited by such additions to the soil. 
The whole class of variegated Geraniums delight in a rich lght soul, 
and beds to be planted with these should receive a liberal dressing of 
decayed manure, and Lobelias will be benefited by the same attention; 
but Verbenas, Petunias, Calceolarias, Heliotropes, Xc., bloom more 
freely in a deep light soil than in one that is strong and rich, and 
scarlet Geraniums can hardly be planted in too poor a soil. Attend to 
the plants with water as may be necessary after planting out, keeping 
the balls regularly moist until the roots get hold of the fresh soil. Sow 
the more useful and showy kinds of hardy annuals about shrubbery and 
herbaceous borders, or wherever room can be found for them. Also 
plant out, in well-prepared soil, Stocks, Asters, and half-hardy annuals 
which have been raised under glass; and carefully attend to all with 
water until they get established. G'reenhouse-—Many of the New 
Holland plants will now be coming in bloom, and unless these are 
shaded on bright days their beauty will be but of short duration. 
During bright warm weather, sprinkle the floors and passages, &c., 
frequently, so as to keep the atmosphere moist, which will greatly assist 
in prolonging the beauty of specimens in bloom, and also benefit plants 
making their growth ; and these should be syringed overhead on the 
afternoons of fine days. Ventilate freely during warm weather, but 
sparingly if drying cold winds prevail. If not already done, Epacrises 
and winter-blooming Heaths should be cut back, placing them in the 
closest part of the house until they “‘ break; ” and those that have been 
cut back, and have started into growth, should be repotted where 
necessary, and any over-luxuriant shoots stopped, so as to secure close 
compact specimens. Attend carefully to everything with water, 
examining the plants frequently, and never water a plant without 
giving enough to thoroughly moisten the whole ball. See that every- 
thing is perfectly clear of insects, and do not allow young stock to suffer 
for the want of pot room. Stove.—Use every possible means to secure 
a moist atmosphere here, sprinkling the passages, &e., frequently, and 
syringing liberally, and shutting up early in the afternoon. Shading 
will be indispensable, to preserve many things from scorching, but use 
this as sparingly as possible ; and endeavour to arrange the plants so 
