214 FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. 
pots for blooming, using a rich soil, and giving an abundant supply of 
water. 
IN THE FORCING FRAME, STOVE, &¢. 
The stock required to fill the beds and borders of the flower-garden 
for another season should now be thought of. Where there is ample 
room in frames, &c., propagating cannot after this be begun too soon. 
Many of the things will strike freely by mere pricking them in the open 
border, and shading them for a few hours in the middle of the day from 
the heat of the sun; others, amongst greenhouse and stove species, 
require a little heat, soon rooting at this season, and if potted imme- 
diately will be firmly established before winter. In the management 
of the stove and orchid-house, ventilation may be freely given during 
the day, and, except on very clear days, the shades drawn away. 
Water must be administered more sparingly, so that both shade and 
moisture be gradually withdrawn. 
IN THE GREENHOUSE, COLD FRAME, &c. 
Light is now more than usually important to elaborate and con- 
solidate the juices before the winter arrives, for unless every means is 
taken to accomplish this, we may expect sad failures during the next 
winter among our tender and more valuable exotics. ‘To protect them 
from rain and to expose them to light should now more than ever be 
our earnest study, in regard to choice specimens, especially those which 
have been recently shifted, and which are in vigorous growth. Almost 
all the soft-wooded stove-plants that can be grown into large specimens 
by one or two seasons’ growth, like Pelargoniums, may be conveniently 
treated like that popular tribe; cut them back after they are done 
flowering ; keep them dry for a week or ten days, and then shake them 
out of the mould ; shorten their large roots, and pot them in light 
rich compost in as small pots as their roots can be got into. This isa 
good time to look over a collection for this purpose. Where a large 
conservatory is to be kept gay all the year round, this class of stove- 
plants is by far the most useful to cultivate, as you can always winter 
them in little room, whereas fine woody plants will soon get too large 
and take some years before they are fit to appear in a good conserva- 
tory.. Another great advantage is, that as soon as you get these plants 
established in the new pots, they will only require to be kept in that 
condition through the winter, and therefore will not require more than 
50° of heat for three or four months. 
Greenhouses and frames, while they remain empty, should be 
thoroughly cleaned, repaired, white-washed, and painted. Cleanliness_ 
is not only essential to their appearance and preservation but to keep 
the plants in a healthy condition. It is bad management when these 
matters are deferred until late in the season, when the plants are again 
replaced, and almost sure to be injured during the process. 
