160 | THE FLORIST. 
in rich soil in the open ground; plant out Lettuce, Cabbage, and 
Walcheren and other Cauliflowers—sow again for succession crops ; 
flat-hoe Potatoes as soon as they are up, and keep the hoe moving 
among all growing crops ; look over the seed beds, and, if any failures, 
sow again immediately ; sow Cardoon, Beet, Salsafy, and Silver Onion, 
for pickling, on a piece of poor soil; Carrots may also be sown any time 
through the month, and Turnips on a cool border; thin Parsnips, 
Onions, Turnips, and other seed crops; sow Dwarf Beans and Scarlet 
Runners, and succession crops of Marrow Peas, and a drill of round 
Spinach between them—sow the Peas sufficiently wide to admit of 
planting two rows of winter Greens or Savoys between each row by and 
bye; cut out seed spikes from Seakale and Rhubarb. Prick out Celery 
in rich earth on a hard surface; prepare trenches for the early crop ; 
take the soil out 9 inches deep and a foot wide, and dig in a good 
dressing of rotten dung at the bottom of the trench ; water after planting, 
and frequently in dry weather. Sow Radishes and small Salad. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Auriculas.—In the earlier part of the month these plants will be in 
perfection, for the season has been so backward, that they are fully a 
fortnight behindhand. As they go out of bloom, if seed be not wanted, 
the head of the stem should be pinched off just below the truss. It is 
as well not too soon to expose them to the full influence of the weather, 
they ought not to be allowed too much sun, nor do I think they should 
be exposed to very heavy rains. I hope to have a say about them next 
month. Carnations and Picotees.—The plants will now have attained 
a good root hold, and may therefore stand out in their summer quarters. 
If dry weather sets in, they will require watering, otherwise they are 
better without it. Take care of green-fly, and as the plants spindle for 
bloom, the blooming stakes should be put into the pots. Daklias.—The 
stock will now be in small pots. Select those you want for planting, 
and repot them into larger ones. ‘This will prevent them from being 
pot-bound, and will moreover keep the plants moving. Towards the 
end of the month, they should be put into cold frames, to harden them 
previous to planting cut. A shady position for the frames is best, and 
see that they do not flag for want of water. Pansies, like Auriculas, 
are backward, but in May they are in their beauty. Guard them 
from sharp cutting winds, fumigate if green-fly appears, and water 
carefully. Weak liquid manure will increase the size of the blooms. 
Pelargoniums.—The work with regard to these plants must be regu- 
lated by what they are required for. If for early exhibition, they will 
now, or ought to be, bursting into flower. In this case, they should be 
fumigated once or twice, as it cannot be done when once the blooms 
open. Bees and hot sun must be guarded against, and water freely 
given. Those which are wanted for late blooming may be retarded by 
being placed in a cold frame. Take care that all the plants are clean. 
Pinks.—As these spindle for bloom, stake and tie them ; and the sooner 
they are disbudded, the larger and better will be the blooms. It does 
not seem as if we should have the dry weather of the last two years, 
but should it set in, be careful to give water. 
