OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
167 
cuttings from which it is propagated ought always to have the tops cut off, or the same operation 
should be performed early on the young plant to render it branchy at the base. 
Ae'rides a'ffine. One of the finest and most graceful plants of its class ; bearing long 
branching racemes of deep pink and white blossoms. It has much of the character of the lovely 
Saccolabiums, though the floral racemes are longer and branching, while the individual flowers 
are larger and have a looser and more flowing arrangement. It has lately flowered in a very 
superior style at Messrs. Rollisson's, Tooting. 
Cala'nthe Mas^uca. a very handsome Indian species ; probably one of the showiest of the 
genus. It has strong and stiff, yet compai-atively short spikes of flowers, the individual blossoms 
being large and deep pink, with a dark pinkish purple lip. The latter changes its colour to 
brownish as it fades. It is very finely cultivated by Messrs. Rollisson, Tooting, and is at present 
blossoming freely in their Orchidaceous house. The same plant continues blooming for two or 
three months. 
Cyrto'ceras refle'xa. First named Hoya coriacea, but since changed to the above ; this 
elegant plant blooms nearly all the season with Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, who first intro- 
duced it. It is a pleasing, low-growing shrub, with vei'y fine leaves and large bunches of whitish 
waxy-looking flowers. These are drooping, like those of Hot/a carnosa, yet more densely 
produced, with considerably reflexed instead of flat segments, and very nearly white without a 
shade of pink, besides being a little yellowish in the centre. It is a most valuable stove ornament. 
Er'ica Cavendishi'ana. Allied to E. depressa, both in habit and inflorescence, but very 
distinct from it, and much superior. It was raised by Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, a few years 
back, and named after the Duke of Devonshire. The plant is a free-grower, with deeply 
verdant foliage, and rich yellow flowers. It yields admirably to culture, and becomes, under 
good treatment, one of the handsomest of Heaths. Messrs. Rollisson and others have had it in 
bloom for several weeks. 
OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
— ^ — 
At this season of the year, the Petunias, Verbenas, &c., that are planted in the flower-bedsj 
will evince a disposition to grow too rampant, and spread beyond the boundary allotted to them ; 
encroaching on the turf where the beds are separated by grass, or on the box -edging, where they 
are surrounded by one. In the first case, it is desirable that they should not descend on to the 
grass, which they would somewhat injure, besides destroying the outline of the bed, and merging 
it too completely into the lawn ; while, in the other, it is alike necessary that they should not 
cover the box, as they would do it much harm by their shade, and very probably kill some of it, 
thereby making it irregular. To keep them within due bounds, however, it will not do to cut 
them with shears, or with a knife in the same manner ; but the principal shoots should be severed 
farther within the given space, leaving the smaller ones, to take off the appearance of pruning. 
These, again, must be cut back when they grow too long, in the same way, still having a succession 
of shorter ones to furnish a more natural and easy outline. 
Some evergreen shrubs, particularly common laurels, are so much inclined to grow rambling^ 
and are with such difficulty kept in a close bushy state, that it is well to prune them now, besides 
pruning them in winter or spring. By cutting back some of the most prominent shoots, they will 
be induced to throw out a number of laterals again before winter, and the general compactness 
of the bushes will be much promoted. 
We have lately observed, in many places, that the numerous seed-pods have not been removed 
from the Rhododendrons, even where the plants are not in a strong or healthy condition. In such 
cases, it is of considerable use at once to cut them off, for the vigour of the shrubs will be greatly 
increased by the operation. As Rhododendrons are now fast maturing their growth, it should not 
be delayed for a single day. The benefits of the process will be apparent in the following season. 
Where there are choice specimens of Portugal laurels, too, it may be worth while to remove all 
the old flower-stems before the berries are formed. These shrubs have flowered in unusual 
