Althea—See "Hibiscus".

Piping—This consists in drawing out the young grass, or shoots, from the joints of Pinks, etc, from May to July being the time for doing so Place them in light, sandy soil, and cover them with a hand-glass Towards the end of September they may be planted out in beds or potted off in rich, light loam In either case they must not be planted too deeply The crust of the soil should be level with the collar of the plant If the pots are put into a frame the plants will require very little water during winter, but as much air should be given as is possible In March re-pot them, using 8-1/2-in pots.

Lobelia—These effective plants may be raised from seed sown in January or February in fine soil Sprinkle a little silver sand or very fine mould over the seed; place in a greenhouse, or in a frame having a slight bottom-heat, and when large enough prick them out about 1 in apart; afterwards put each single plant in a thumb-pot, and plant out at the end of May As the different varieties do not always come true from seed, it is best to propagate by means of cuttings taken in autumn, or take up the old plants before the frost gets to them, remove all the young shoots (those at the base of the plant are best, and if they have a little root attached to them so much the better), and plant them thinly in well-drained, shallow pans of leaf-mould and sand; plunge the pans in a hotbed under a frame, shade them from hot sunshine, and when they are rooted remove them to the greenhouse till spring, at which time growth must be encouraged by giving a higher temperature and frequent syringing They may then be planted out in.

Xeranthemum—These charming everlasting annuals retain, in a dried state, their form and colour for several years They are of the easiest culture, merely requiring to be sown in spring in light, rich soil to produce flowers in July Height, 2 ft.


Beans, Broad—A deep, strong loam is most suitable, but good crops can be obtained from any garden soil The first sowing should be made in February or March, and in succession to May A sowing of Beck's Green Gem or Dwarf Fan may even be made in November in rows 2 ft apart Other varieties should be planted in rows 3 ft apart, sowing the seed 3 in deep and at intervals of 6 in When the plants have done flowering pinch off the tops, to ensure a better crop; and if the black fly has attacked them, take off the tops low enough down to remove the pests, and burn them at once Seville Longpod and Aquadulce may be recommended for an early crop, and Johnson's Wonderful and Harlington Windsor for a main one.

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