The Express.
London, England, 1851-03-15 00:00:00

FLORISTS. FLOWERS.

Some people will say it is earlyx enough to pot off
carnations and picotces, "we say if the plants are
hardy, and the compost is right, the sooner the better
—the amateur must, however, recollect that there is
nothing like planting the layers fast; if there is plenty
of drainage (which there ought to be) the layers should
be well fastened in the pots. This is an essential
point, but too often overlooked. Seedlings that have
made extravagiuit growth should be cut in, leaving
one or two good leaders,—wo have seen both these and
seedling pinks left " au nature'" the consequence has
been that 110 Hower stalks have been thrown up, and the
strength that ought to have been concentrated in some
six or twelve flowers has been disseminated in:is),even more
than that; another good result from early cutting in the
side shoots is, a large quantity of healthy layers are made,
and should the seedling turn out good, they prove a toler-
able good harvest to the raiser. Tulips must be taken care
of ; we anticipate a move in the right direction with these
splendid flowers this season. Continue to give all possible
air to auritulas, and water more frequently than usual.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

The importance of appearances in everything con-
nected with a garden should be particularly borne in
mind in the management of this department, as

a considerable quantity of the work is of such
a nature a. to give at times au unw'tticd and somewhat un-
tidy appearance; rand, us the majority of these operations
must be performed atrictly in season, they do not leave the
manager power to wait till his employer a family takes up
its quarters elsewhere fur a short period; and he must •
therefore do his best to keep the place neat and orderly, I
without suspending the work. Much may be done towards
' keeping things at all times creditable, by a systematic ;sr !
raugeruent of the work, and by a steadfast adherence to the
simple rule of doing everything well which is taken in hand
and finishing it off in a workmanlike manner before proceed-
ing to another job. This mode of carrying on the work
is the most satisfactory, as it allows of concentrated force
and greater energy being devoted to that which is still to
be done. Let the various quarters' as they receive
their crops, be neatly finished off by raking or forking
the ground, straightening the edges of the paths, and
cleaning and gravelling the principal alleys. Alter these,
the main walks in the immediate vicinity, which will be
free front dirty traffic for some time to come, should be
cleaned, slightly surfaced with new gravel, and rolled; and
at the tame time the edges of all the walks should receive
any attention which they may respire, either by replanting
or thoroughly repairing them. If thrift is used as an
edging about one-half of it should be taken up and re-
planted every season. as it wears a very unsatisfactory ap-
pearance if allowed to remain undivided for more than two
years. Forward cauliflowers should have some god rotten
dung forked in about them, and the soil drawn up round
their stems; and if the ground isnot over nvoist, tkey should
be watered with liquid manure. Make new plantations of
strawberries where such are required, making the soil good
at least 18 inches in depth, by working in some well-rotted
manure ; if the soil is light, a good dreasing of marl will be
very beneficial.