OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 
143 
Mr. Knight, where sorts that are considered extremely difficult to cultivate, are, by 
this treatment, brought to a high state of excellence. We therefore strongly 
recommend the practice of this system to our readers, as a means of rendering these 
much-admired plants still more interesting and ornamental, and indeed, as the. 
only means by which some of them can be induced to flower at all. The operation 
may be performed in precisely the same manner as it is with Camellias, and also at 
the same period of the growth of the plants, that is, as soon as they have ceased 
flowering. They may likewise be grafted successfully, provided that some clay, or, 
what is much more suitable, a glutinous composition termed " gardener's wax," be 
placed round the place where the graft and the stock are united, for the purpose 
of excluding light and air. A number of stocks may be readily produced from 
cuttings, and the height at which they should be grafted must be regulated entirely 
according to the taste of the cultivator, as, by pruning them, or allowing them to 
grow to any required length, the plants may be kept either as standards or dwarfs, 
both of which systems are exceedingly ornamental ; but perhaps the most suitable 
height for stocks on which to perform this operation, is, from nine to eighteen 
inches, higher than which their appearance is more novel than interesting. 
OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 
As the mean temperature of the atmosphere is usually higher this month than 
at any other period of the year, and the influence of the sun is more uniformly and 
powerfully felt, it is of chief importance that every plant, in whatever situation, but 
more especially those in artificial circumstances, should be carefully and constantly 
supplied with water when required ; otherwise the great evaporation, both from 
the soil and the leaves of plants, would greatly injure, and in many cases prove 
destructive to, vegetable life. The great lack of rain during the spring months of 
this season has rendered attention to this point more particularly necessary in the 
open air, and not only herbaceous and half-hardy plants, but many shrubs and 
trees that are growing in exposed situations, and whose roots lie near the surface 
of the ground, must be abundantly watered, if this is not furnished from natural 
causes. 
Orchidaceous plants should be efficiently shaded during the heat of the day, 
and the time of putting on and taking off the materials used for this purpose must 
be regulated according to the aspect of the house. As the roots of many of them 
will now be protruding through the soil, particular care should be taken to guard 
these from the rays of the sun, especially if they cannot conveniently be covered 
with moss or soil ; and those which are attached to blocks of wood, or suspended 
m baskets, should be frequently watered. The atmosphere of the house should 
likewise be kept slightly humid, to counteract the effects of the increased evapora- 
tion. 
