HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. . 269 



In applying the bud to the stock an incision is to be made length-, 

 wars through the bark, but not so as to injure the wood; about an 

 inch in length, and this is to be diagonally crossed at the top by 

 another incision. The thin ivory handle, or back of tne knife* 

 should then be used to to raise the bark, and the shield inserted 

 within, gently pressing it to the bottom of the perpendicular inci- 

 sion ; when it is properly placed the portion of it above the diagon- 

 al cross should be cut off, and great care should be taken that it m 

 in close contact with the wood of the stock. When this is done,, 

 bind up with matting, or cotton twist, all except the bud, which 

 must be left free to the air, but protected from the powerful action 

 of the sun, or wet, either of which would defeat the whole operation, 

 and in two or three weeks the bandages must be loosened, though 

 not entirely taken away. About the end of October the plant 

 should be cut clown to within a foot of where the operation has been 

 performed, which will greatly tend to strengthen both the tree and 

 buds that have taken. In the following spring all the stocks 

 should be deprived of their superfluous wood ; observe, however, 

 to leave one bud or eye above the inserted bud, which will greatly 

 assist its growth until it has made a few leaves, and is fit to perform 

 the functions of vegetable life when the natural shoot must be cut off. 

 As the new shoot grows, have it carefully supported. 



THE NELUMBIUM SPECJOSUM. 

 Springbrook is famous for its novelties. From the Florida moss 

 to the "spiritu sancto" of the newspapers, or the modest Sarracenia 

 to the victorious Water Lily— few things valuable or rare escape at- 

 tention. The successful cultivation of the Nelumbium in the open 

 air is another branch in its garland. An oval tank perhaps fifteen 

 feet in its longest diameter is covered with noble leaves, some of 

 them two feet in diameter. The flower buds are now a foot above 

 the water, and in a month or so must form a splendid object. Few 

 who have read at all, but are acquainted with the glowing descrip- 

 tions of the beauty of this plant given by East India travellers. 

 Apart from the beauty of the flowers, the plant supposed to> be the 



