280 GREEN-HOUSE GERANIUMS. 



AUGUST. 



ANY of the Myrtles, Oranges, Lemons, Oleanders, &c., 

 that were headed down in April or May, will be pushing 

 many young shoots. The plant must be carefully exa- 

 mined, to observe which of the shoots ought to be left to 

 form the tree. Having determined on this, cut out all the 

 others close to the stem with a small sharp knife ; and if 

 the remaining shoots are above one foot long, pinch off the 

 tops to make them branch out. 



The trees that were entirely headed down should not 

 have above six shoots left, which will, by being topped, 

 make a sufficient quantity to form the bush or tree. 



GERANIUMS. 



These plants, about the first of the month, require a 

 complete dressing. In the first place collect them all to- 

 gether, and, with a sharp knife, cut off the wood of this 

 year to within a few eyes of the wood of last year. Citri- 

 odorum and its varieties do not need pruning. The plants 

 grown from cuttings during the season, that have flowered, 

 cut them to about three inches from the pot. This being 

 done, have the earth all prepared, and potsherds or fine 

 gravel at hand, for draining the delicate kinds. Choose a 

 cloudy day for the operation, and turn the plants progres- 

 sively out of the pots they are in, reducing the baSs of 

 earth so that the same pots may contain them again, and 

 allow from half an inch to two inches, according to the size 

 of the pot, of fresh soil around the ball, carefully pressing 

 it with the potting-stick. Finish by leveling all neatly 

 with the hand. Give very gentle waterings from a pot 

 with a rose mouth, for a few weeks, until they have begun 

 to grow. The tuberous-rooted and deciduous species must 

 be very moderately supplied. Be careful, Avhen watering, 

 that the new soil does not become saturated with water, 

 for, though allowed to dry again, it will not be so pure. 

 When they grow afresh, expose them fully to the sun, turn 



