The Express.
London, England, 1851-06-07 00:00:00

FLUNER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES.

There firre;ieWPlaniifsviiichfaird beauty of
the flower garden as the llumea clegans, of which some
seed should-now be sown, in order to secure a supply of
tine strong plants for next season. The propagation of
pinks and many other useful plants for the flower garden
should now be proceeded with, as they wilt strike freely at
this season, awl consequently no time should be lost in put-
ting in a sufficient quantity of all the favourite kinds.
Particular attention should be paid to the plants which
were plunged in the reiwrve garden to fill up any gaps
which may occur during the early part of the summer ; and
if any more can be spared from the late spring stock, they
should be at once selected, as it is worth while to be at a
little pains in keeping up a creditable display as late in the
season as possible. Many of the fancy pelargoniums are
admirably adapted fur planting in masses, and attention
should be paid thus early to their propagation by those who
possess only a few plants, that they may have as large a
stock as possible for the nest season. Amongst the most
suitable varieties arc nosegay, anais, jehu superb, hero of
Surrey, bouquet de doer, &c. Shepherd's % ictoria, and a
few others which are very beautiful in the greenhouse,
are too delicate for planting out of doors, except in very
favourable situations, their flowers being of so slight a tex-
ture as to be quite disfigured by dashing rains.

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FLoniNT's

Stretch a light awning over the ranunculus bed. When
shaded, water will not be so often required. if the flowers
are intended for exhibition, they should have small glass
caps or hand-glasses placed over them. These splendid
flowers arc not cultivated so much as they ought to he,
considering the case with which they may be grown.
Carefully tend seedlings. Those of the second year's
growth will astonish, by the robustness of their
habit. As they come into flower, mark those which show
good properties, placing a small deal peg or tally
against each, entering in a memorandum book their colour,
qualities, &c. Should semi-double varieties exhibit any
novel or striking points, these ought to he saved for the
purpose of still furtner improvement, by crossing others
with their pollen. Dahlias : Stake immediately, and water
the young plants in dry weather. Sometimes snails make
too free; it will be advisable by way of precaution to put
a ring of soot round each. Give pinks liquid manure, re-
duce the buds according to the strength of the plants;
keep them free front green fly; pinch out laterals; and as
soon as convenient " pips" the earliest shoots, and there
will be time for another crop; some people layer pinks,
but they root so easily from cuttings, and are much neater
plants, that we prefer the latter method. Do not forget
auriculas and polyanthuses M pots ; of course they are now
in some cool and shaded spot for the summer; give them
water as they require it, and see that the heads of seed are
going on right. Propagate pan-ies by the usual methods,
ete. The stems of carnations and pieotees will now elon-
gate fast; carefully tie, but recollect that these ties must be
occasionally looked to, and eased if they require it.

HARDY FRUIT GAlta:N.
It should be the aim of every cultivator of hardy fruits to
induce a fruitful habit in all trees and bushes; and nothing
conduces to this so much as summer stopping. The finger
and thumb will do more at this season, when the shoots ere
soft, than half-a-dozen knives in winter, and with far better
results. To allow wood to be produced which must not
only be cut away again, but which, during its growth, is
materially damaging the portion which is to remain, carries
with it the appearance of very bad management to every
reflecting mind. Thin the young shoots which have been
thrown up by the raspberry stools, leaving from three to six
of the best, according to their strength ; these will form fino
strong canes, which may be trained as arches, or tied to
stakes, at the next winter pruning. Any young shoots
coming up at a distance from the old stools may he left to
form plants, which may be taken up in winter to furnish
new plantations if such are likely to be required. Cater-
pillars on gooseberry or currant trees should ho destroyed
by hand picking, or by dusting the trees with a little quick-
lime. The cleanest wsy of proceeding is to dissolve some
lime in water, and, after allowing it to subside, to syringe
the trees with the clear liquid.