120 FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. 



nr THE GREENHOUSE, &.c. 



A free ventilation is of importance, and by closing with a humid 

 atmosphere early in the evening, a vigorous growtii will be best pro- 

 moted. Give liberal shifts to such plants as require it, before the roots 

 become matted ; much injury is often done bydefening until a general 

 shifting. Camellias, such as have formed their flower-buds, should be 

 placed in a sheltered and shady situation out of doors. Ericas should 

 have the ends of tlieir shoots pinched off, to render them bushy and 

 spreading. Climbing plants should be neatly tied as they advance in 

 growth, and abundance of flowers « ill be the result. In order to 

 prolong the season of bloom of a favourite flower, much, in many cases, 

 may at this time be done ; such as usually bloom during tlie early part 

 of summer, may be made to flower at an advanced period, by stopping 

 or pruning the growing shoots of a few specimens, tliereby causing 

 them to form lateral siioots, and consequently a more prolific as well 

 as later bloom. Slirubby plants of weak growth, and wiiich naturally 

 make long frail shoots, are much improved by bending down the 

 branches, and fixing them to a wire attached to the rim of the pot; in 

 this manner the nakedness of the plant at its base is hidden, and the 

 check imposed on the ascent of sap will induce an increased supply of 

 shoots. 



Pelargoniums. — Never allow the plants to flag, or the bottom leaves 

 will turn yellow, and the plants then become naked. Put cow, horse, 

 and sheep dung in equal parts, \vith a sprinkling of quick lime into a 

 tub, and to one peck of these add five gallons of rain or other soft 

 water. When taking it for use, draw it oif clear, and give the plants 

 a watering twice a-week. Give air freely, shut up early, and syringe 

 the plants overhead three times a-week till the flowers expand. Now 

 strike cuttings of the scarlet class of Pelargoniums, as Compactum, 

 Gem, Queen, Royal Dwarf, &c., and when rooted pot ofl^, which by 

 the autumn will fill their pots with roots, and being what is termed 

 pot-bound, they will bloom during the winter season. 



Calceolarias. — Keep the lower side shoots pegged down ; it will 

 induce roots to push up the stems. Fumigate occasionally to keep 

 down the green fly. 



Azaleas. — When done blooming the growth must be promoted, see 

 Articles upon culture. 



Watering. — At this season increasilig attention is requisite ; care 

 must be taken that the eyitire hall of soil is made moist, particularly 

 with the plants grown in sandy peat or sandy loam ; a few holes made 

 by means of an iron pin down through the ball will admit water into 

 its interior. 



