144 
OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 
roots protected by some similar material, have little occasion for the interception of light, unless, 
indeed, they are naturally found growing beneath the shade of other plants of larger dimensions, 
or in situations otherwise affording shelter. 
Another means of diminishing the disastrous effects of a lengthened period of dry weather, will 
be found in frequently loosening the surface soil ; and this is an operation that will also tend to 
render the garden more neat, if carefully raked afterwards. Mulching the ground, — though 
highly advantageous to many plants, and particularly useful in the vegetable garden, — is quite 
inadmissible in the pleasure ground, on account of its unsightly and slovenly appearance. 
Little can be done to prevent tender plants suffering from too much wet, beyond providing a 
ready passage for all unnecessary moisture, by having a suitable soil, and causing it to be well 
drained. In low situations, or where the soil is of a retentive quality, borders should be raised 
a little above the level of the surrounding ground, but this must not be carried to so great an 
extent as to subject it to the liability of becoming too dry under contrary conditions. Greenhouse 
plants, in pots, that have been turned out for the summer season into the reserve garden, ought 
to have a canvass covering placed over them, to shield them from heavy dashing showers, and 
rough winds. 
Those greenhouse and stove plants that are beginning to mature their growth, will now require 
less water, and as their parts gradually become firmer and less succulent, they may be inured to 
more sunshine. But to all soft wooded plants in active vegetation, an abundant supply of water 
must be continued, taking special care at every application to administer sufficient to moisten 
every particle of soil about the roots. And when plants are about to develop a multitude 
of flowers, this precaution will be the more requisite, to prevent them from being shed before 
they are ready to expand, and also to enable them to swell to their most ample dimensions. 
The loss of bloom on the threshold of its beauty, and the diminutive size of others, compared 
with their ordinary magnitude, is most frequently caused by imperfect supplies, or negligence 
in the administration of water. 
Syringing on the evening of sunny days will also be extremely refreshing and invigorating. 
Besides furnishing water for support, the leaves will be kept free from dust and filth, and continue 
fit for the exercise of their functions, as well as more bright and pleasing to the eye. The 
progi'ess of insects will be marred, in every case where they appear, without which no plant can 
long remain healthy, or continue to grow with its wonted vigour. But amongst flowering 
specimens the syringe must be carefully used ; for, if water should be indiscriminately spread over 
leaves and blossoms, the beauty of the latter will speedily suffer, and their duration will 
be shortened. No water should, therefore, be allowed to fall upon them. In damp or dull 
weather it is very injudicious to apply the [^syringe, save only occasionally to extirpate insects ; 
because, when water is given with too much liberality for the degree of light and heat, the plants 
will either be gorged with aqueous matter that they cannot assimilate, or in the case of delicate 
rooted or succulent-stemmed species, they will damp and decay. 
Continue to maintain the greatest possible degree of neatness throughout every part of 
the grounds, and especially in the flower-garden, which will now be daily increasing in attractive- 
ness. The surface of each border not covered with trailing plants, must be kept neatly raked and 
clear of weeds. When branches become too crowded, they must be thinned away, so that every 
portion may be duly exposed, and enabled to display its inflorescence in the most favourable light. 
Straggling shoots, and all that may have attained an undue ascendancy over those around them, 
must either be lopped away entirely, or shortened to throw out laterals. Where stakes are indis- 
pensable, they must be concealed as much as convenience will permit ; and the plants secured to 
them so as to appear as free and unconstrained as possible. Always avoid bundling them too 
closely together. 
Those who are desirous of increasing their stock of Roses must be ready with their budding 
knives ; and towards the middle of the month it will also be an advisable season for layering. 
Carnations and Picolees may also be layered. Cuttings may be taken of many border plants, to 
prepare a stock for another season. Pelargoniums should be propagated and brought forward as 
speedily as possible, to form handsome plants before winter. The shifting of Chrysanthemums 
ought never to be delayed after they require it, and the pots must be kept plunged in ashes or 
soil. To increase their vigour, a little manure water may be occasionally supplied to them. 
