270 GREEN-HOUSE — GERANIUMS. [^AugUSt. 



the rain is over, especially small plants. The syringings 

 should never be done till after the waterings at the roots, 

 and they should never be more seldom than every alternate 

 evening. Turn all the plants frequently^ to prevent them 

 from being drawn to one side by the sun or light. Carefully 

 look over them at these turnings to detect any insects; and 

 observe that the tuberose-rooted or deciduous geraniums, such 

 as Ardens, Bicolor, ComiJtdnia, Uchindtum, Tristum, &g., 

 are not getting too much water, they being now dormant. 



AUGUST. 



Any of the Mtjrtles, Oranges j LemonSj Oleanders, &c., 

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

 young shoots. The plant must be carefully examined, to 

 observe which of the shoots ouo'ht to be left to form- the tree. 



o 



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 com- 

 plete dressing. In the first place collect them all together, 

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

 within a few eyes of the wood of last year. Citrioddrum 

 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 j)i'^gi'6ssively out of the 

 pots they are in, reducing the balls of earth so that the same 



