AUGUST. 



684 



AUGUST. 



rarias, Chinese primroses, and calceolarias 

 from the seed pans when the plants are 

 large enough for the purpose. 



Epiphyllum. If the different varieties 

 of epiphyllum have made their growth under 

 glass, they may be removed to a sunny 

 spot out of doors. 



Flowers in Conservatory. The principal 

 plants that decorate the conservatory at 

 this season will be with some of the more 

 common annuals fuchsias, scarlet gera- 

 niums, with achimenes; and where there 

 is room, a considerable number of stove 

 plants and orchids may be safely intro- 

 duced ; and if, in addition, a few palms, 

 &c., be added, they will give the charm of 

 tropical scenery to the house, and render 

 it more attractive. 



Orchids. Some of the earlier-started 

 orchids will have ripened their growth, and 

 may now be removed to a cooler and drier 

 house, where they can slowly progress to a 

 state of rest. As the plants approach a 

 state of maturity, more light may be 

 allowed them, which will help to ripen the 

 pseudo bulbs. Continue to plants yet 

 growing the requisite amount of heat and 

 moisture to carry on the present year's 

 growth, but avoid unnecessary stimulants 

 at this season, which might induce a fresh 

 growth, which to many species would be 

 injurious to their blooming next season. 

 Fires will be necessary during cold nights ; 

 but lessen the shade, except in bright 

 weather. Plants suspended on blocks and 

 baskets must be daily examined to see the 

 growing material is kept sufficiently moist, 

 while, at the same time, stagnant damp 

 must be avoided. 



As light decreases, shading must likewise 

 be gradually lessened, and in a short time 

 discontinued altogether, except to a section 

 of orchids, which will require it for some 

 time longer. It is highly important that 

 the wood of plants hard- wooded ones 

 especially, intended to bloom in perfection 



next season should be well ripened, and 

 attention is especially directed to this, 

 because the year's growth by this time will, 

 in all likelihood, be completed, and the 

 remainder of the autumn should be devoted 

 to maturing the season's growth. Expo- 

 sure to the full influence of light and air, 

 which are the principal agents to effect this 

 purpose, is essential ; and although water 

 in sufficient quantities must be given to 

 meet the plants' requirements, they should 

 not have more, as aa extra supply of water 

 might, in some instances, induce an 

 autumnal growth. It will be better to 

 soak each plant well when requiring water, 

 and then allow it to become somewhat dry, 

 than merely to damp the surface only daily, 

 while the principal parts of the roots are 

 suffering. 



Pelargoniums. Plants which have gone 

 out of flower should be exposed in the 

 open air to ripen their wood preparatory 

 to being cut down in September. 



Routine Work. The routine work and 

 management of the hothouse and green- 

 house are very much the same, if not 

 exactly, as for the preceding month of 

 July, and therefore need not be repeated. 



August. Hotbeds, Frames, &c., 

 Work in. 



I. FLOWERS. Annuals in Frames. 

 Frames without the hotbed are also very 

 useful. Mignonette, nemophila, and other 

 annuals sown now in pots, and kept in cold 

 frames, will flower in the winter. 



Balsams and Cockscombs. Plants that 

 are now coming into bloom should be 

 transferred to the conservatory or the win- 

 dow of the sitting-room, and those not yet 

 showing signs of flowering should be pushed 

 on. 



Bedding Plants^ &c. Hotbeds and 

 frames may be utilised at this period of the 

 year for various purposes in connection 

 with the floral department of the garden. 



