119 
OPERATIONS FOR JUNE. 
It should ever be the aim of all directly and indirectly connected with the carrying out of 
gardening operations, to insure everything being done with the strictest regard to neatness and 
order; this is ever requisite, and greatly enhances, when adhered to, the enjoyment sought in 
pursuing the culture of a garden. But needful as it is at all times to keep this principle in view, 
it is unusually necessary to do so at the season Nature is wearing her best garments ; as at this 
time of year, and in a season like the one we are experiencing, nothing should be disregarded that 
conduces to a feeling of satisfaction from this source. It may be further adduced, that L what we 
would here direct attention to is not more valuable as promoting pleasurable enjoyment by its 
effects, than it is beneficial where practised ; whether as regards, in the instance of cultivated 
plants, their welfare, or that of those existing under less artificial circumstances. We need 
scarcely allude to the manifold points of management now requiring attention, from the arranging 
and training of a clump of flowers to the weeding of a walk in the open air ; or from supporting 
the most delicate climber, to ridding a plant of insects in the plant structures. 
In the Orchid house, flowers and fragrance bountifully reward the culturist ; everything, there- 
fore, must be done for their and its preservation, that can be practised without the risk of injuring 
the plants. A dry atmosphere is most favourable to a long continuance of the bloom of this family, 
but it can seldom be subjected to it in a house devoted to their culture, without withdrawing from 
it that humidity necessary at this period. Removing any particular plant or plants to a suitable 
situation is the only alternative, if their flowers are desired to be preserved ; but it is one we are 
unwilling to resort to, except in especial cases ; for not only is the interest of a flowering plant 
materially lessened by separating it from its family, but also the plant is liable to a check, 
(particularly if it is circumstanced in the way we allude to for any length of time), which it is 
most desirable to avoid. It is equally necessary, also, to have an eye to the production of bloom 
among these plants in its embryo state, as it frequently happens that the pains and watching of a 
whole season is rendered of no avail by the ravages of some insect, damp, the other extreme, 
drought, &c. Tow or cotton wool is an excellent material to prevent the attack of various 
insects, when placed round the flower-stem or the base of a whole plant the embryo flowers of 
which it maybe desirous to preserve. Stanhopeas should be regularly attended to, securing to their 
flower-spikes sufficient room to extend, preserving them from damp by the withholding of water to 
as great an extent as possible. The management of this family in other respects, such as properly 
shading, application of moisture, regulating the temperature, suitably supporting the various forms 
of its inflorescence, &c, will continue to require diligent attention. In the stove many plants 
will need re-shifting ; in doing which, regard should be had to the length* of time they may be 
expected to grow, the dimensions it is wished they should attain, &c. Each specimen and indi- 
vidual plant in this structure should now be accommodated with sufficient space to enable it to be 
quite free of its neighbour ; and this, that all may fully perfect their growth. Thinning the shoots, 
arranging the branches, cutting out superfluous ones, continual attention to training, &c, con- 
tribute much towards the same end, — shading, watering, and syringing the plants overhead being 
duly regarded. A good drenching with the garden engine has a very beneficial effect, when 
occasionally practised in the stove and greenhouse ; and even the Orchidece would be much 
improved by an occasional saturation. The cleanness, perfect freeness from dust, &c. of the 
leaves, and their dark -green hue, amply testify to the good effect of a watering of this description. 
In practising it, care should be taken that a fine day is chosen ; and after the operation is gone 
through, all the air possible should be admitted to dry up any superfluous moisture ; and the 
bloom of any plants must of course not be wetted. The various methods of obtaining a suitable 
atmosphere in plant-houses, such as casting water on their floors, syringing among the pots and 
the walls, may be freely resorted to, particularly in clear and bright weather. 
Similar treatment to that just recommended for stove plants is equally applicable to greenhouse 
plants, the difference in the temperature required by each being properly cared for. The flowers 
of many plants in both erections could be advantageously thinned as they progress to perfection ; 
not only would those remaining be much finer, but the plants themselves would be greatly 
benefited by being less exhausted than when permitted to bear a profuse bloom. Many of 
the more delicate greenhouse plants necessarily require to have the number of flowers they 
perfect confined within certain bounds. Some cultivators do not permit the bloom of their plants 
