400 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



the most convenient spot for the insertion, by drawing the point of the knife 

 down the centre of the shoot, and by a cross-cut, where the other begins, raise 

 the corners of the bark sufficiently to introduce the lower end of the bud : — 

 press it down till it is opposite to the corresponding bud on the stock, and bind 

 it up with a piece of fine bass or worsted thread, leaving the eye so that it is 

 just visible. After three or four weeks it should be examined, and the band 

 loosened a little, in cases where the bud does not separate freely from the 

 bark, the ^ood may be tied in also ; but the operation is both neater and more 

 efficient wdien all the wood except that in the eye is removed. Cloudy weather 

 is generally recommended for the operation ; but Mr. Saul, of the Durdham 

 Downs Nursery, Bristol, says he prefers bright, warm, sunny weather, pro- 

 rided the stocks are in proper condition ; and we can have no better authority 

 than Mr. Saul. This operation may be performed any time from June to Sep- 

 tember, and even as late as October, August being suitable for the greatest 

 number of roses, the test being of course the maturity of the shoots. "\Te 

 shall have some remarks to offer in one of these months on the choice of 

 stocks and laying oiit the rose-garden. 



1 163. Close watching is now required to prevent the ravages of the rose- 

 maggot, washing daily with the syringe : to dislodge the green-fly, a little 

 ammonia or tobacco mixed with the water is useful. In the shrubbery 

 tying up and mulching is the chief employment of the month. As the- 

 rhododendrons and other American plants go out of bloom, remove the seed- 

 vessels and soak them well with manure-water prepared from cow-dung, 

 mulching the roots. 



1164. In dry weather frequent and copious waterings must be given, not 

 only to the recently-planted trees and shrubs, but to the bedded plants, 

 annuals, &c. Mulching wherever practicable should be adopted, as well as 

 damping the foliage of newly-planted shrubs every evening. Carnations, 

 picotees, and herbaceous plants, with the taller-growing bedding-plants, 

 should be staked and tied up to prevent injury from high winds. About the 

 second w^eek, hollyhocks, phloxes, delphiniums, asters, &c., should have the 

 shoots thinned out before being tied up, to prevent an appearance of over- 

 crowding, as well as to improve the size of the flowers. When showery 

 weather occurs, let the box be clipped. London pride, thrift, daisies, &;c., 

 used for edging, should be taken up once in two years, divided, and replanted 

 when the blooming season is over. 



1 165. The most pressing work about the middle of the month is that of 

 keeping the place in order. The edgings, whether of grass or box, or other 

 evergreen, should be repaired or clipped now. The effect produced at this 

 season will amply repay the trouble ; and in flower-gardens the effect is excel- 

 lent. Evergreen hedges clipped now have time to make and mature a new 

 growth before winter, while the season is far enough advanced to prevent 

 their growing much out of shape. 



1 166. Watch the different annuals as they come into flower, and mark those 

 varieties whose superior habit of growth, size of flower, or brilliancy of colour. 



