II.OWERING PLANTS IN BLUOM AT THK ROYAL GARDENS, KKW. 307 



leaf-buds evidently enlarge. Small plants, ten or twelve inches high, 

 witli good heads and liealtliy foliage, and having main stems about one- 

 fourth of an inch broad at the surface of the soil, are adapted to ope- 

 ration. 



The double varieties which are to furnish the grafts ought to be 

 excited also, till the buds become in the proper condition. 



If old plants be selected, the graft must be chosen from among the 

 upright and strongest siioots, for the great object is to obtain one terminal 

 growing bud at the apex of the last year's wood, which approaches most 

 nearly in breadtii to that of the stock. 



It will appear from what has been said, that a strong young Camellia, 

 with a single, straight stem, must supply the best bud ; for not only 

 will it be most vigorous and juicy, but, by being cut back to a certain 

 extent, will be made to send fortli two or more lateral shoots, low on 

 the stem, which will become the first brandies of a well formed head. 



When the bud chosen has grown half an incli long, showing its im- 

 liricated integuments, it is to be cut off with about an inch of the ripened 

 wood. The stock is then to be cut over to within two inches of the soil, 

 and both it and tlie wood of the scion are to be correctly pared by a very 

 sharp knife, till tlie two surfaces match perfectly to the extent of an 

 inch or more. Care must be taken not to intrude upon the base of the 

 "row in"- bud. 



The adaptation being perfected, the parts are to be fitted to each 

 other, bound tightly, and secured with strong soft bass, made quite 

 pliable by soaking it in water. 



The surfaces are then to be entirely covered with good grafting wax, 

 worked up and rendered quite soft by the hand. 



Tims the operation will be finished, and so complete is the success 

 which attends it, that by a skilful operator not one graft will fail to 

 grow. 



But this success depends ahnost entirely upon the total exclusion of 

 air ; and tliis must be effected by inverting a cylindrical glass vessel 

 (a common bell-glass will do extremely well) over the plant, pressing 

 the rim firmly into the earth, removing it as seldom as possible. No 

 bottom heat is admissible ; but a steady temperature of sixty degrees 

 will promote the junction of the scion with the stock. In the excitable 

 condition of a bold, swelling bud, growth will soon be apparent, pro- 

 vided the stock be acti\'e. But if the inserted scion be poor and weak, 

 it is possible that it may not be able to receive the rising sap, and thus 

 both members will perish. Amateur cultivators may easily increase 

 their stock by such attention. 



SHOWY FLOWERING PLANTS NOW IN BLOOM IN 

 THE GREENHOUSES AT THE ROYAL GARDENS OF 

 KEW. 



PiMELEA Neipi'ergiana. — The flowers are white, each blossom nearly 

 an inch long, and the fine dense heads near three inches across. It is 

 a profuse bloomer, and the foliage glaucous and neat. Pelargonium 



2 c 2 



