168 
OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
Fire-heat, if suspended in the orchidaceous house during the last two months, 
must now be again applied during the night, and the quantity of water administered 
to orchidaceous plants in any form should be greatly diminished. The house should 
still be shaded when necessary, but the material used for this purpose may be of a 
thinner and lighter description, and towards the end of the month may be dispensed 
with altogether, except when the sun shines very fiercely. 
In the stove, air should be admitted by all practicable means when the weather 
will permit, as it is of the utmost importance that the wood of stove plants should 
be properly matured and hardened, now that the greater number of them have 
ceased growing. Attention should now be paid to the extirpation of all insects, 
particularly of such as can be destroyed with water (as the red spider) ; for which 
purpose the plants should be syringed in the most vigorous manner possible, 
provided the leaves are not injured. This is more especially necessary at this 
season, as such means cannot be resorted to in the winter months. Continue to 
propagate any desirable sorts. 
Greenhouse plants, like those which are cultivated in the stove, cannot have 
too much air admitted to them this month, and care should be taken to ensure to 
each individual plant a free circulation of it, by keeping them at a sufficient 
distance from each other. Any species of which an increase may be wished for, 
and which has not previously been effected, should be immediately attended to, 
and cuttings put in without further delay, as it is important that the young plants 
should be well rooted and established before the commencement of the winter. 
Pelargoniums should now be abundantly propagated, and otherwise treated as 
directed last month. Annuals should be sown in pots, to flower in October and 
November. 
In the flower-garden, besides the attention necessary to the timely and careful 
collection of seeds, before alluded to, another and equally important subject demands 
consideration this month. All half-hardy plants, such as Petunias, Verbenas, &c, 
that require protection during the winter, may be propagated during this and the 
following month. It is advisable, however, to commence this operation as soon as 
possible, and continue it as the shoots become ready, for the plants which are struck 
this month will be better rooted, stronger, and less liable to damp off in the winter, 
than those raised at a subsequent period. It is better to strike them in a gentle 
heat for the purpose of facilitating the success of the operation, but as soon as they 
are potted they should be gradually exposed to the open air, that they may not 
become too weak and slender. The shoots, and likewise the flowers of Dahlias, 
may be thinned out as they appear, which will render the remaining flowers much 
larger and finer. 
