OPERATIONS FOR MAY. 
95 
Dendr5bium discolor. a specimen of this singular species unfolded its 
blossoms with Messrs. Loddiges two months ago, and was described, without the 
name, in our Magazine for March, p. 46. Another plant is again in flower at the 
same establishment, and its inflorescence is more conspicuous than that of the 
former specimen ; so much so, indeed, as to render it quite worthy of commendation. 
Dendr^bium pulchellum, var. The noble plant of D. pulchellum^ at Messrs. 
Loddiges', has this season been most profusely covered with blossoms^ and the species 
ranks almost as high as the specimen. But a lovely variety has also blossomed with 
these gentlemen, and is well defined by the darker tints of its flowers, and their appear- 
ance uniformly about three weeks prior to the expansion of those of the species. This 
last property, being permanent, renders the plant a most valuable one for the culturist. 
OPERATIONS FOR MAY. 
May is a month of great activity with the flower-gardener, being the main 
season for planting out the greenhouse or half-hardy plants that are to decorate the 
beds and borders through the summer. This operation should be commenced about 
the middle of the month, at which time everything referrible to the above class may 
be safely exposed, due care being taken, however, to have a flower-pot or something 
of the kind at hand, to invert over the plants in a case of unexpected frost. 
In preparing beds for a fresh sort of flower, it is not necessary to manure them, 
as for vegetable crops. One general manuring in the winter is quite enough ; and, 
on after occasions of new introductions, it is sufficient that the soil be well turned 
over. Flowers rarely require a rich earth ; and most of those in use for occupying 
ornamental plots, blossom best in a rather sandy soil. For the ordinary kinds, any 
common earth may be employed ; and it is only the succulent species of Mesemhry- 
anthemum^ Calandrinia^ Portulaca^ &c. that need a peculiar soil, while for these it 
is not indispensable. 
When the dwarfer sorts of tender exotics are transplanted, it will often be useful 
to pluck ofi" any flower-buds that may be showing themselves, and to cut or pinch 
out all the tops of the shoots, fastening the remainder to the ground where necessary. 
It is as true in the culture of flowers as in moral philosophy, that a small present 
pleasure must be renounced when a greater future gratification will result from the 
sacrifice ; and the culturist will frequently be called upon to forego the enjoyment 
of an early but feeble display of blossoms, in order to ensure a more extensive and 
durable subsequent exhibition. A neglect of this carries with it its own recompense ; 
and is like the folly of the amateur who sensitively shrinks from pruning his rose- 
bushes for fear he should cut off the germs of flowers, and by so doing experiences 
consequences tantamount to those he sought to avoid. 
Now is the time for the tasteful cultivator to bedeck his lawns and pleasure- 
