g more especially. Dahlias and hollyhocks are
really the supreme ornaments of the garden during the latter part of the
summer and throughout the autumnal months. The latter-named,
unfortunately, is extremely liable to the attacks of a virulent form of
fungoid disease, which rapidly destroys it. We know of no real
preventative, and the only plan we can recommend is to select strong
young plants, which are in no degree affected with it, and on the very
first appearance of the disease to destroy all those infested.

* * * * *

The rose--that "Queen of flowers"--will, in all probability, require
attention; extra strong and gross-growing shoots may be cut back, and
train all young growth with the view of securing not only a well-formed
specimen, but also a robust growth. As a general rule, the training of
roses must be left to a good practical gardener, but we strongly advise
all our young friends to pay careful attention to what he does, and to
the advice he gives, so that they may themselves at another time perform
the necessary operations, with, of course, a considerable amount more
pleasure. We may here remark that all young people must never be above
taking hints and advice from gardeners, because the power to give such
has been almost invariably acquired by long experience, and is given
with the best of intentions. And, moreover, few things are more pleasing
to a gardener than to see young folk taking a practical interest in his
favourite pursuit.

* * * * *

Cuttings may now be made of a great number of plants, and cold frames or
shady spots in the garden may be utilised for growing them. As a rule,
the separation should be made a little way under the joint. A cutting
has been truly defined as a part of a plant with growing appendages at
either end, and a space between to keep them sufficiently apart, so that
one part shall be in the soil to form roots, and the other in the air
to form leaves and stem. They are usually obtained from the young wood,
and strike most freely in sand. It is easy to determine whether a shoot
be in a proper state for making a cutting: bend it carefully back, and
if it breaks or snaps it is in a right condition, and if it bends
without snapping it is then too hard. The most general "cut" is a
slanting one, but we have invariably found a level one both easiest made
and quickest rooted. Whichever is done, let it be done with a sha