OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
71 
tions of nature ; besides, there can be little doubt that it would answer equally 
well witli many succulent species of EupJiorhia^ as well as with such plants as 
Cereus senilis, the Melocactw, and others of similar habits. 
If, however, the long and bare stems of the Pereskia are considered unsightly, 
such an objection may at once be obviated by cutting the stem of the stock 
down to any desired length, previous to performing the operation of grafting. 
Indeed, it would perhaps be better in this case always to reduce the stem of the 
Pereskia to within three or four inches of the soil ; as a quantity of moss might thus 
be constantly kept about the roots of the graft without being at all conspicuous 
or unsightly ; and, as this moss might easily be kept moist, if the pot in which the 
Pereskia is growing be well drained, the graft would thus have the benefit of 
a large supply of nutriment from its own roots, as well as that derived from the 
stock on which it is placed. But where this latter method is adopted, the novelty 
of the system would be kept a secret, as the mode of treatment would be concealed 
by the moss ; therefore much depends upon the taste of the cultivator as to which 
of the above systems may be considered most worthy of adoption. However, 
where it is only desired to grow the plants stronger and finer, it is better to head 
the stocks down to within four inches of. the soil ; and where novelty is wished 
for, to leave the stocks from one to two feet in height ; by either of these methods, 
the plants thus grafted may be cultivated to much greater perfection, than if they 
were planted in soil, and otherwise treated in the usual manner. 
OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
"We refer to the Calendar of Operations for March in our last number, for work 
to be done in the present month ; directions for potting, sowing of seeds, and 
otherwise attending to the various kinds of plants, will be there found ; further than 
which we have very little to add in this place. In the stove, when the plants are 
cleaned, potted, neatly and securely tied up, the temperature of the house should 
be gradually changed, in order to excite the buds into action ; the temperature 
should be kept from 65° to 75°, never below the former in the night, nor any below 
or much above the latter during the day ; the less it varies from these points the 
better the plants will succeed. The atmosphere should by degrees be brought to 
a moderate state of humidity, and the plants almost hourly and actively watched, 
in order to keep down the various descriptions of insects, with which they 
are so liable to be injured at all seasons, but perhaps more particularly when 
vegetation begins to start in the spring, if not diligently watched and efi'ective 
means had recourse to, in order to destroy them. The most efficient methods may 
be briefly explained in the following manner : — The Red Spider (Acarus Tellarius\ 
which rarely fails to find access to the best-managed plants, is so averse to 
humidity and water, that if the plants infested by them are kept in a moist place, 
or repeatedly syringed with water, they will soon disappear, but will as soon 
return if the application of these means be neglected for any length of time ; it is 
