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JUNE.

dormant powers developed. Horticulture, for
instance, has a commercial tendency which
Charlatanism may
may be carried too far.
slide in amongst flowers. Botany, on the
contrary, is a science, and consequently rests
on the investigation of pure and simple truth.
A horticulturist who allows himself to be in-
fluenced by a scientific spirit, necessarily frees
himself from over-selfish tendencies. Natu-
ral history, on its side, by reason of the per-
fection of its method, its nomenclature, and
its minute observations, has something tech-
nical and dry about it, which contrasts with
the grandeur of nature and the sentiment of
art. It is for horticulture, combining as it
does the planning and the decorations of gar-
dens, to develope the aesthetic faculties of the
savant, as of the world in general. A lovely
flower, beautiful trees, a splendid floral ex-
hibition, excite a sort of admiration and even
enthusiasm, similar to the effects produced by
music or painting.

The powers of the German composers of modern days, and those of the Italian painters of the sixteenth century, are justly extolled; but may it not also be said that in point of

art they are equalled, in their way, by the
beautiful parks of old England? The feeling
of harmony in form and colour, is it not also
studied in them? The effect of contrast, is
it not skilfully managed? The gradual tran-
sition from architectural to natural beauties,
is it not treated in an admirable manner?
Yes; decidedly the English landscape gar-
deners are poets; they have drawn from the
same sources of inspiration as the most na-
tional writers of their country, and that
source is the appreciation, so universal in
England, of the beautiful, in an aspect of
nature which is elegant and attractive, though
somewhat severe.

Thus, gentlemen, for the development of
our talents, as well as for our actual benefit,
Art and Science keep pace together. Let us
rejoice over their union, rendered conspicuous
to-day by this congress of botanists, held in
- perhaps
connection with a great floral exhibition; and
after these general observations
rather too protracted-let us enter upon the
consideration of those more truly scientific
subjects, in which many among you are no
doubt disposed to take part.

CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS.

ORCHID-HOUSE.

SHADE, water, and a very humid atmosphere during this their period of active growth, are essential; the Mexican species should, however, have the cooler end of the house.

GREENHOUSE.

Mixed Greenhouse.-Most of the common hardwooded plants should either be removed to a sheltered place out of doors, or to pits; this will make room for Balsams, Fuchsias, Neriums, Crassulas, &c., which, with Geraniums, will make the house gay for a considerable time. Camellias should be watched, and, as the growth gets matured, more air must be admitted, accompanied with a larger share of light; this will induce the formation of bloombuds. If in a house, however, with a south aspect, shading must be resorted to during bright sunshine. Syringe as usual. Cinerarias. -If sufficient seed has been saved, cut down all that have not been already so treated, and stand them in a cool north aspect. A little very fine soil should be placed round the old stools to encourage the young shoots that break from the bottom to root. Save seed for winter blooming. Heaths and Epacrises. - Many kinds may now be transferred to pits and frames, where they will thrive better, during the summer months shading them from the hot sun; any done blooming should be cut back slightly, to insure a bushy habit, and kept in a shady place till they commence to grow. Removing the young and early-blooming stock to frames will permit plants in the Heath

house to stand thin, which will be much to their advantage. Shading and watering as before.

CONSERVATORY AND SHOW-HOUSE.

The conservatory should now be kept thin of extra plants, to allow of the free growth of the proper inmates, which will require air plentifully. Water inside borders freely. The regulation of climbers should take place occasionally, allowing them, however, to grow in natural form as much as possible. A north house is at this season the best structure for showing plants in bloom.

FORCING.

Vines.-When the early Grapes are cut, apply the syringe, especially if red spider is abundant; and give the same attention to preserving the foliage, preceding the ripening of the crop. Stop and tie-in the late Vines, and proceed with thinning as before advised; inside borders will require water oftener. Peaches.-Suspend a netting underneath the Peaches, &c., to catch the fruit, should any fall between the periods of gathering. It is better to look them over frequently, as they should not be allowed to hang on the tree till they get so ripe. Pines.-Shade slightly in very bright weather; water, and often, now they are swelling off, diminishing it as the fruit approaches ripeness. Give air liberally, and syringe once or twice daily, according to the state of the weather. Repot succession plants, and allow more room for them, as they will now grow fast. Melons.-Earth up successional

large for the purpose of exhibition, a less number will be sufficient. They should not be disbudded to their fullest extent on the first time of going over them, as some of the buds may fail. Keep down green fly by brushing the

crops, and train and stop, as the vines advance; give less water to the first crops as the fruit gets ripe. Shading with some kinds of glass is absolutely necessary, or the plants will suffer. Sow for the autumn crops. Cold frames, now emptied of their winter stock, may be success-points of the shoots with weak tobacco water fully used in growing Balsams, and other annuals, Fuchsias, &c., or late crops of Cucumbers and Melons.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Sow the various vegetables required for succession; and attend to the requirements of those progressing. Water Cauliflower, Spinach, Lettuce, &c., freely in dry weather, to promote succulency. Do not cut Asparagus-beds too much after the middle of the month. Plant out early Celery in rich trenches, and water well; earth up Potatoes, and thin out other root crops.

HARDY FRUIT.

Nail in the young shoots when sufficiently advanced; and follow up the war against the green and black fly; diluted tobacco-water is the best remedy, if clean water fail.

FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY.

and pure water alternately to cleanse them. As the blooming shoots grow very fast it is necessary to go over the plants daily to see that the bast that supports them to the sticks is loose, and to give them fresh ties. Dahlias.The ground having been prepared as directed, these should be planted out about 5 feet apart; 5 feet 6 inches will not be too much from row to row, for the strong-growing kinds. Use good rich soil, mixed with a little leaf mould to turn them out in, this will give them a good start. Secure the plants to stakes when planted out. Dahlias suffer more from the first rough weather after planting out than when they become a little hardened; therefore, care should be taken to protect them as much as possible. Neither slugs nor snails will be very plentiful after so much dry weather, but they should be looked after near hedges on damp Neatness is the great point to be attended mornings. Commence trapping earwigs as to, now that the principal planting out for the soon as the plants are turned out; if mild and season is finished. Keep the grass of the lawn dry, water overhead every evening. Hollyand the gravel walks in the best trim by often hocks.-Secure these with strong stakes driven mowing and sweeping the former, and well a considerable distance into the ground, mulch rolling the latter, which should be fresh sur- them with partly rotten manure, and keep faced if necessary. Attend to watering the them well watered. Side shoots should be newly planted stuff in dry weather, and make taken for cuttings when ready, as the Hollyup failures from the reserve. A few annuals hock strikes freely at any season with proper should now be sown for an October bloom. management. A large stock can only be proLook to trellis-plants, and tie or otherwise cured by commencing early, and continuing secure them from blowing about; tall-grow- to propagate throughout the season. ing herbaceous plants will likewise require-Continue to put in cuttings largely: many stakes. Roses are now showing their blossoms, plants die off in July, if the weather is unwhich will be much improved by liquid manur- favourable; if a young stock is provided, this ing; mulching, too, in dry seasons is very loss will not be felt. Sulphur the plants if beneficial. If the preservation of the early mildew should appear; save seed from the best flowers is desirable, the Rose maggot must be kinds, those with smooth stout petals and wellclosely looked after; the green fly, too, should defined colours. Pelargoniums.-June is the be kept down, and where mildew shows itself, best month to judge of the quality of Pelarfirst syringe with tobacco-water for green fly, goniums generally, but a few kinds are best in and then dust with sulphur vivum; a tin May. There is little to do this month, further pepper-box is a cheap and efficient duster. than to prolong the bloom by careful shading, Roses in pots will require attention in water-watering, and keeping the bees out of the ing; the syringe is best if clear rain water is at hand, and the blossoms not too much expanded.

FLORIST'S FLOWERS.

Auriculas.-There will be but very little to do this month beyond keeping the plants clean, both of green fly and decayed foliage. The plants should not be crowded where they stand on a north border, or be allowed to have too much wet. Carnations and Picotees.-A very important operation to the exhibitorviz., disbudding, will have to be attended to this month. Go over the whole stock once a-week, removing such side buds as are forward enough, and which it is necessary to displace. Two, with the centre bud, are a full number for any plant to carry. If blooms are required

Pansies.

house. Seedlings will be blooming towards the end of the month, and should be carefully watched, noticing their defects, to prevent the trouble of growing too many kinds the second year. It is necessary to grow them two seasons to finally ascertain the improvement on existing varieties. Fancy varieties should be propagated this month. These should be struck in a cold frame. If allowed to flower long before cutting down they are not so easily struck. Pinks.-Water freely if the weather should be dry. Commence propagating towards the end of the month. Pinks strike very freely under small glasses, on a raised hotbed. Care should be taken that the heat is not strong. Tulips.-Take the canvas off, and allow them to have all the weather.

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Bohemian Black Bigarreau.

CHROMO-LITHOGRAPHED BY F. WALLER. 18. HATTON CARDEN.

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