120 
OPERATIONS FOR JUNE. 
solid and impenetrable mass, it broke away from the sides of the pot, in which 
channel all the water that was subsequently given directly found its way to the 
bottom, without ever reaching the centre of the balls. Had not this been dis- 
covered, and remedied by stirring the surface soil, the plants would have inevitably 
died in a few days. The culturist should, therefore, not only abandon the use of 
a rose for general purposes, but be constantly on the watch to detect when the 
passage of water throughout the whole mass of earth is in any way deranged. 
As the orchidaceous-house is now adequately heated by the sun during the day, 
fire-heat may properly be withheld for a season ; since it is not at all desirable to have 
a high temperature through the night. To retain, however, a moderate heat, the 
house should be closed towards five or six o'clock in the afternoon, and at this time 
the plants can be freely syringed with water. From the general geniality of the 
atmosphere, it might be imagined that this is the best period for transferring to the 
drawing-room those Orchidaceas that are in flower. But this is a mistake. Plants 
actually growing in a warm humid house will not bear to be removed suddenly to 
a cool dry one ; so that it should not be attempted unless the specimens have per- 
fected their young shoots. Shade, throughout the day alone, must be continued ; 
but it cannot be needed at night. 
Although many turn out part of their greenhouse plants into the open air in May, 
and some have even exposed them in April of the present year, it is not well to do 
this till the beginning of June, particularly in northerly districts. They should 
never be placed where there is not a solid bottom for the pots to stand upon, on 
account of the worms which would enter the pots from a lighter material. A 
mulching of some kind, or the simple spreading of a little moss amongst the pots, 
will be beneficial, for it is through the roots becoming scorched or parched that 
such plants are usually injured, and not so much by the action of the sun on their 
leaves. Heaths ought particularly to be attended to at the present time ; for many 
are killed solely for want of water in the summer. 
The kinds of Cactacese that have ceased flowering should be encouraged to grow 
freely, by liberally watering them, and, with the stronger species, by the occasional 
use of manure water. A little heat and a moist atmosphere will further be ser- 
viceable. Pelargoniums, which have bloomed early, may be cut down, their roots 
trimmed, and planted in smaller pots, to be again excited to growth. 
Transfer unhealthy greenhouse shrubs to the open ground ; keep climbers of 
every sort w^ell trained, and within due limits ; sow and transplant annuals ; repot 
Cockscombs, Balsams, and other rapid-growing plants as they require it ; stake 
Dahlias, Hollyhocks, Chrysanthemums, &c., when they get more than six inches 
in height ; clear off insects as speedily and as effectually as possible by the ordinary 
means ; plant cuttings of laurels and similar evergreens ; propagate exotic shrubs 
to the requisite extent ; plunge Alpine plants that happen to be in pots to the rim, 
in cool situations ; put in cuttings of pinks ; and impregnate flowers that are wished 
to be hybridized, as well as collect seed from those bearing it. 
