144 
OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 
roots protected by some similar material, have little occasion for the interception of light, unless 
indeed, they are naturally found growing beneath the shade of other plants of larger dimensions 
or in situations otherwise affording shelter. 
Another means of diminishing the disastrous effects of a lengthened period of dry weather, wi; 
be found in frequently loosening the surface soil ; and this is an operation that will also tend t 
render the garden more neat, if carefully raked afterwards. Mulching the ground, — thoug] 
highly advantageous to many plants, and particularly useful in the vegetable garden, — is quit 
inadmissible in the pleasure ground, on account of its unsightly and slovenly appearance. 
Little can be done to prevent tender plants suffering from too much wet, beyond providing 
ready passage for all unnecessary moisture, by having a suitable soil, and causing it to be well 
drained. In low situations, or where the soil is of a retentive quality, borders should be raise* 
a little above the level of the surrounding ground, but this must not be carried to so great ai 
extent as to subject it to the liability of becoming too dry under contrary conditions. Greenhous 
plants, in pots, that have been turned out for the summer season into the reserve garden, ough 
to have a canvass covering placed over them, to shield them from heavy dashing showers, an 
rough winds. 
Those greenhouse and stove plants that are beginning to mature their growth, will now requir 
less water, and as their parts gradually become firmer and less succulent, they may be inured t 
more sunshine. But to all soft wooded plants in active vegetation, an abundant supply of wate 
must be continued, taking special care at every application to administer sufficient to moiste 
every particle of soil about the roots. And when plants are about to develop a multitud 
of flowers, this precaution will be the more requisite, to prevent them from being shed befor 
they are ready to expand, and also to enable them to swell to their most ample dimensions 
The loss of bloom on the threshold of its beauty, and the diminutive size of others, compare 
with their ordinary magnitude, is most frequently caused by imperfect supplies, or negligent 
in the administration of water. 
Syringing on the evening of sunny days will also be extremely refreshing and invigorating 
Besides furnishing water for support, the leaves will be kept free from dust and filth, and contini 
fit for the exercise of their functions, as well as more bright and pleasing to the eye. Tli 
progress of insects will be marred, in every case where they appear, without which no plant ca 
long remain healthy, or continue to grow with its wonted vigour. But amongst flowerir 
specimens the syringe must be carefully used ; for, if water should be indiscriminately spread ov< 
leaves and blossoms, the beauty of the latter will speedily suffer, and their duration wi 
be shortened. No water should, therefore, be allowed to fall upon them. In damp or du 
weather it is very injudicious to apply the 'syringe, save only occasionally to extirpate insects 
because, when water is given with too much liberality for the degree of light and heat, the plan 
will either be gorged with aqueous matter that they cannot assimilate, or in the case of delica 
rooted or succulent-stemmed species, they will damp and decay. 
Continue to maintain the greatest possible degree of neatness throughout every part 
the grounds, and especially in the flower-garden, which will now be daily increasing in attractivt 
ness. The surface of each border not covered with trailing plants, must be kept neatly raked ar 
clear of weeds. When branches become too crowded, they must be thinned away, so that evei 
portion may be duly exposed, and enabled to display its inflorescence in the most favourable ligh 
Straggling shoots, and all that may have attained an undue ascendancy over those around ther 
must either be lopped away entirely, or shortened to throw out laterals. Where stakes are indi 
pensable, they must be concealed as much as convenience will permit ; and the plants secured 
them so as to appear as free and unconstrained as possible. Always avoid bundling them t( 
closely together. 
Those who are desirous of increasing their stock of Roses must be ready with their buddir 
knives ; and towards the middle of the month it will also be an advisable season for layerin 
Carnations and Picotees may also be layered. Cuttings may be taken of many border plants, 
prepare a stock for another season. Pelargoniums should be propagated and brought forward 
speedily as possible, to form handsome plants before winter. The shifting of Chrysanthemm 
ought never to be delayed after they require it, and the pots must be kept plunged in ashes * 
soil. To increase their vigour, a little manure water may be occasionally supplied to them. 
