FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. 191 



branches should be secured firmly to stakes ; a slight wind is sufficient 

 to do tiiem great damage if they be not constantly attended to in this 

 respect. In dry weather give water very freely, and if tlie plants are 

 sprinkled over-head late in the evening with a fine rose or syringe, 

 their luxuriance will be greatly promoted. Trap earwigs by all pos- 

 sible means, on the principle that prevention is better than cure, they 

 will not be wanted wiien the blooming season comes on. Pelargoniums 

 that have shed their flowers should be cut down, dis-rooted, and potted 

 in smaller pots, keeping the plants for a week in a close frame, to assist 

 them in developing their new shoots. Roses may now be budded, 

 moist weather being best for the operation. It is of importance that 

 there should be a resemblance between the bud and the stock as to the 

 vig-our of vegetative srrowth, in order to ensure a successful result. If 

 a Rose of slow development is budded on a rampant briar, and all the 

 strength of the latter is turned into the parasitical stranger, health 

 cannot be maintained, nor will a freely vegetating Rose submit to be 

 impeded in its progress by a sluggish stock. Roses budded on the 

 stocks of Boursaults succeed well. Thin away surplus branches from 

 all stocks not budded as early as possible, not to wait a day even, but 

 get the branches left strong and healthy. 



IN THE FORCING FRAME, STOVE, &.c. 

 Where stove and greenhouse plants afford suitable cuttings, propa- 

 gation may still be pursued ; as, generally speaking, it can be practised 

 with greater success in the early than in the latter part of the year. It 

 should be remembered that the propagation of most plants is facilitated 

 by the employment of bottom-heat and bell-glasses. Stove plants will 

 derive great advantage from a partial shading during the glare of the 

 day, and will be less liable to injiirj"^ from drought. Many plants that 

 have made vigorous growth will require shifting, especially such as 

 Justicias, Clerodendrons, &c., give plenty of water at the roots, syringe 

 often in the evening, and keep the floors of the house and every part 

 damp, to assist in maintaining a humid atmosphere ; it is surprising the 

 amount of evaporation going on at this season. Bulbs of Amaryllis 

 and other stove and greenhouse plants can be put together in a pit or 

 frame, where they will be near tlie glass, and where the influence of the 

 sun with a gradual diminution of Mater will mature tiiem. Never 

 permitting tlie foliage to flag is a good criterion as to the quantity of 

 moisture required, and they may be kept as near that state as possible. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE, COLD FRAME, &.c. 

 As a free ingress of air must necessarily be permitted during fine 

 weather, its rapid circulation, conjoined with active solar heat, must 

 cause a rapid evaporation both from the plants and .soil ; hence there 

 exists a necessity, under the above circumstances, of watering and 

 syringing frequently. However beneficial a screen maj'' be during 

 brigiit hot weather, its presence is not required while the sun is 

 obscured. Encourage the growth of Azaleas and Camellias by keep- 

 ing them comparatively close (with shade during sunshine), and sup- 

 plying them liberally with moisture administered by the syringe. As 

 probably increased room will be obtained by the removal of many 



