AUGUST. 



13 



Polyanthus, Antirrhinums, Violas, Campanula 

 pyramidalis, &c. Cuttings of double Wall- 

 flowers, Pinks, &c, should also be inserted now. 

 Lift Anemones, Narcissus, and other roots and 

 bulbs as their foliage dies down. Many plants 

 in this department will now be revealing their 

 flower-spikes, and will therefore need staking 

 and tying to prevent them being blown about. 

 Commence budding Eoses towards the close of 

 the month. It is not advisable to begin too 

 soon, however, in forward districts, as the buds 

 often start into growth, and on that account 

 are sometimes killed if severe weather follows. 

 Cuttings of the half-ripened wood will root 

 freely at this time of the year if inserted under 

 hand-lights, or in cold frames behind a north 

 wall, where there is but little sun. Flower-beds 

 will now require constant attention, for if the 

 weather is dry, frequent and copious waterings 

 will be necessary. Peg down and pinch any 

 plants growing out of character; remove all 

 dead flower-stalks to preserve a tidy appearance. 

 Some of the stronger-growing plants, as Holly- 

 hocks, Dahlias, Helianthus, &c, would be greatly 

 benefited by being watered with liquid manure. 

 Most of the sub-tropical plants will be making 

 rapid progress, and will therefore require look- 

 ing to. Run the hoe through the beds and 

 amongst the plants to keep down weeds. Mow 

 lawns and edge walks; trim and tie creepers as 

 growth proceeds, in order to prevent them being 

 broken off by high winds. 



AUGUST. 



Plant-houses. 



Orchid Houses. — A number of the plants 

 in these houses will now be in active growth, 

 and for this reason must be kept warm. Among 

 these may be mentioned those of the Phalse- 

 nopsis family, which require a warm, even tem- 

 perature. Dendrobiums will still demand plenty 

 of heat and moisture. The house may be damped 

 down with manure-water, using the same for the 

 evaporating troughs. Keep a sharp look-out for 

 thrips, which are very destructive to the young 

 foliage. If any of the weevils are found cut away 

 the parts affected at once and burn them, as 

 nothing does more harm to Dendrobes than these 

 minute creatures. Odontoglossums of the cris- 

 pum section will generally have gone out of 

 flower, and some will be starting to develop 

 new growth. Any that require potting should 

 be attended to before new roots are formed, as 



it is a great mistake to injure them by the pro- 

 cess of transplanting to larger pots while in 

 active growth. See that all pots and crocks used 

 are quite clean. After potting shade the house 

 a little more in bright weather, and keep the 

 atmosphere closer for a short time, till the roots 

 get active. Odontoglossum vexillarium, 0. Phalce- 

 nopsis, and some others of the same class, need 

 a warmer temperature ; from 60° to 65° at night 

 suiting them admirably during this month. 

 Keep up plenty of humidity in the atmosphere 

 by constant damping down, and keep a sharp 

 watch for red thrips, which finds its way into 

 the young sheaths. Epidendrum vitellinum majus 

 and some others will be improved by potting 

 now. They should be grown with the cool 

 Odontoglossums. Lycastes and Maxillarias will 

 have completed their growth, so that they will 

 need less water. The remarks that were given 

 last month still apply to Cattleyas. When the 

 nights are cold less air should be admitted, 

 and a little fire-heat should be applied to cause 

 a circulation of air. 



Hothouse. — Poinsettias, Euphorbia jacqui- 

 niceflora, Amasonia punicea, and other winter- 

 blooming plants, should be exposed to the sun- 

 light for the purpose of ripening their shoots. 

 This is a good time for potting Anthuriums in 

 order that they may be well established before 

 their flowering season comes round. Begonias 

 of the section flowerino; in winter should also be 

 potted on, and kept near the glass, to encour- 

 age a sturdy habit. As Caladiums finish their 

 growth give less water, but do not dry them 

 off too rapidly. 



Where any palms need to be potted, perform 

 the work during the current month so that they 

 may become well rooted before the winter ap- 

 proaches. Ferns should also receive attention; 

 particularly a batch of Adiantums for winter 

 decorations should be potted into pots of a size 

 larger, and seedlings should be pricked out into 

 pans or pots for spring use. Take cuttings 

 of Coleus and other plants of a tender nature, 

 and root them in gentle heat so that they may 

 grow bushy. 



Greenhouse and Conservatory. — When 

 the foliage of hard-wooded plants has grown firm, 

 and before they are taken indoors, is a good 

 time to look over them and rid them of insect 

 pests. They may for this end be laid down on 

 their sides, and washed with the garden engine 

 or syringe, taking care to cleanse the under sides 

 of the leaves. If they have two or three similar 

 j dressings they will be freed from insect plagues. 

 Cuttings of show and fancy Pelargoniums that 



