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OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
Camellias frequently lose many of their flower-buds in spring, owing to a larger number having 
been formed than the plants can possibly support. This may be prevented by examining each 
plant as soon as the flower-buds can be easily recognised, and removing all beyond what the plant 
is likely to bring to perfection. The strength of the plant will thereby be thrown to the develop- 
ment of those that remain, which will hence prove much finer, and not weaken the tree for 
another season. Pelargoniums that have been cut down should be placed in a rather confined 
moist atmosphere, till they have pushed fresh shoots. More air may then be given to keep them 
from becoming drawn, and every encouragement to form robust vigorous growth. The flower 
stems of choice herbaceous Calceolarias should be cut away, and no more suffered to form during 
the present season. This will materially assist them in acquiring strength to stand through the 
winter. 
Those who have their pits and frames for keeping plants through the winter, occupied during 
summer with Melons and Cucumbers, may strike cuttings of many border plants, such as 
Verbenas, Scarlet, and other Pelargoniums, Petunias, Heliotropes, &c, by merely inserting 
them in a fine sandy earth in a shaded spot. It is always advisable to have the propagation of 
these things hastened as much as possible, in order that young plants may be thoroughly esta- 
blished before the winter sets in. Hence in places that have the convenience, it will always be 
best to place a small frame on a gentle hot-bed, and to insert cuttings from time to time as they 
can be obtained, till a sufficient stock (making allowance for ordinary losses in winter) has been 
obtained. If no frame is vacant, a hot-bed covered with Russian mats or canvas will be better 
than the open ground. 
Seeds of the more valuable annuals used for bedding, or growing in pots, should be gathered 
separately as they ripen : it causes a little more trouble than cutting off, and drying whole 
clusters at once, but is well worth it, from the greater certainty of properly matured seeds 
vegetating. When the whole are gathered at once, it usually happens that the larger portion are 
imperfect, and will not grow at all. The commoner kinds which seed abundantly may generally 
be procured good from the seedsmen, but there is a risk in obtaining plants from those sorts 
which produce seed more sparingly. We have no doubt that many of our ordinary annuals are 
susceptible of considerable improvement through cross fecundation. The present is a proper 
time for those who take an interest in raising novelties to make the attempt. 
In the flower garden little will be necessary beyond the ordinary routine. The highest 
keeping ought to prevail throughout all its departments : the walks, the lawn, the flower-beds 
and the shrubbery, should all bear evidence of a scrutinising superintendence. The scythe, the 
broom, and the roller should be continually plied on the grass, and all the edgings kept neat ; 
the walks and the flower-beds should be clear of weeds, and every sinking blossom and spent 
flower-stem immediately cut off, and conveyed away. 
Herbaceous plants which are too feeble to support themselves, should be tidily attached with 
threads of matting to neat props, to show them more favourably, and to guard them from being 
snapped asunder by a blast of wind. We say tidily, for this work is often passed over in a 
slovenly manner, and the stems bundled together, so as to rob them of more than half their 
charms. The shreds of matting should be neatly rolled, and the stems left loose enough to allow 
play to the foliage of each. 
Climbing plants, which have hitherto been somewhat closely trained round pillars, and to 
trellises or baskets, may now be allowed to grow unfettered at the points, to take away any harsh- 
ness of outline : they will require no further care than to prevent them from acquiring too much 
wildness. The conservative- wall should be managed in a similar style. Instead of tying back all 
the shoots which project forward or hang loosely, they should merely be kept from rambling too 
far, and thinned out whenever they become too crowded. 
Roses may still be budded, and layered. Many other shrubs may also be propagated by 
layers. Herbaceous plants may be transplanted from the seed beds ; and old established plants 
may be propagated from, by removing slips. Alpine plants, in pots, may be divided and repotted. 
A few Ranunculuses and Anemones may be planted in pots to flower towards Christmas. Seeds 
of a few choice annuals should be sown to stand through the winter in an airy greenhouse, and 
flower in spring. 
