OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
23 
of cross branches uniting, after long- continued and severe pressure against each 
other ; but the origin of striking by cuttings is not so easily accounted for. 
The compost for striking the cuttings of the Aste7' cu-gophyllus, Pyrus Japonica, 
Aucuha Japonica, the striped-leaved Bramble, and the broad and narrow-leaved 
Myrtles, should always be of an open nature, and at the same time contain as much 
nutritive matter as is requisite to communicate sufficient vigour to the young plants 
when rooted ; let it be composed of one-half light brown loam, one-fourth vegetable 
soil, and one-fourth river sand, well mixed and put through a sieve. The best time 
for planting them is from the middle of August till the middle of September, when 
the shoots have acquired sufficient firmness. 
Plant the cutting-s on a south border under hand-glasses, about six inches from 
the wall, and so situated as to be partially sheltered from the afternoon sun, but 
fully exposed to that of the morning. 
After marking the place for the glass, take out the natural border earth to the 
depth of eight inches, and that space fill with the above compost, treading it gently 
down, then put in the cuttings, prepared in the common way, with a small dibble. 
The cuttings should be of a last summer's growth, and be made from four to 
six inches long, and be placed from one and half to two inches apart from each other, 
according to the strength and size of the cuttings. 
After they are made firm give them a good watering, close them down with the 
hand-glass, and shade from the heat of the sun in September and October, but keep 
off" the mats during the winter months, and put them on again in March. Continue 
to shade occasionally till August following, and give gentle waterings from the 
beginning of May. 
By the end of June the cuttings will have struck root, and by the end of July 
they will have acquired from six inches to a foot long of young wood. During this 
period they will require more frequent watering and shading throughout the da)^ 
Admit no air from the time they are planted until the end of the following July, 
except what is unavoidable during the time of watering. About the 12th of August 
they may be potted ; and it will strengthen the plants to have a little air admitted 
every day, by little and little, for about a fortnight before potting. — -Mem. Cat, 
Hort, Soc. 
OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
Azalea.— The greenhouse kinds will now commence flowering and continue 
till May. When they are in flower, a good supply of water is requisite to enable 
the plants to support them : inattention to this will cause the flowers speedily to 
fall. See Vol. I. pages 129, 126, and 127 ; Vol. II. pages 145 and 121. 
Annuals (Tender) about the middle of this month may be sown in a mixture 
of light rich loam and leaf-mould or peat, taking care to cover the seeds very lightly ; 
