167 
OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
Now that the business in the various floral departments, as far as present effect is concerned, 
is become chiefly of a routine character, we are at liberty to, and must of necessity, turn our 
tention to the future, by commencing to propagate. This is particularly the case in the out-door 
oral department, where propagation has chiefly to be effected by cuttings ; for detailed methods 
? treating which, see the article in another page. Stove and greenhouse plants necessarily do not 
squire increasing to a great extent ; under ordinary circumstances, little difficulty is experienced 
i producing the requisite number from cuttings, if the well-known conditions essential to success 
■e at hand. The majority of the former are amongst the most simple and easy things to strike ; 
le reverse, though, is the case with the latter. Perseverance with them will do much, but 
^tensive success can only be attained by long experience ; hence the inutility of going into the 
t’actical detail of the various methods pursued. The facility with which Roses , innumerable 
irubs, deciduous and evergreen, increase by layering now, should be taken advantage of ; budding, 
so, may be extensively practised. Neither must the numerous plants we annually raise from 
;eds be forgotten at this season. Where seed-saving is practised — and there are few places that 
ader some circumstances, and to a greater or less extent, it does not become necessary — care 
lould be taken that the first seeds, which are the finest, are caught before they become shed or 
herwise lost. The diligence with which this direction is carried out will, of course, always 
spend upon the kind and quantity wished to be saved. The kind, again, is also the best guide as 
i the disposal of the seeds after they are gathered. Biennials and perennials should have their 
;eds sown as soon as they are ripe, in a manner suitable to their nature, while annuals have 
mply to be placed away, except it is wished to raise quickly, and have them in flower. Regard 
;ust be had that none are stored away before they are properly ripe and dry, or loss and disap- 
fintment will be the consequence. 
The stronger-growing herbaceous plants, occupying shrubbery borders, such as Hollyhocks , 
liloxes, &c., may now have their main flower-stems permanently disposed, and secured to suitable 
apports ; this cannot be too effectually done, arranging them in as free and characteristic a 
tanner as possible. Their superior appearance, when so dealt with, will well repay the extra 
ire taken with them, and further, they become much finer, and fully develope their lateral 
ranchings. Here, too, the masses of, or individual shrubs, require some attention to keeping 
lem in proper bounds, and, by removing over-luxuriant branches, preserving uniformity. This 
irection may be very extensively applied ; all the various ornamental shrubs and trees may be 
xamined, with a view to its being practised where necessary. Plants, as they go out of flower, 
a borders, must have their old flower-stems removed and the plants lessened in bulk if requisite, 
hose coming into bloom must be duly supported and trained, and patches of annuals may have 
ime of their shoots cut back, and part of their flowers removed, to induce them to continue 
>nger in perfection. Dahlias cannot now be too well tended, thinning and tying their shoots, 
issening the number of their flower-buds, &c., to insure fine blooms. Arbours and /^-covered 
ejects will begin to require that their coverings receive the usual trimming. But, instead of 
sing the garden shears, and proceeding as is commonly done, we would strongly recommend the 
nife alone to be used, especially in conspicuous situations ; going over the whole with patience, 
amoving all strong shoots not wanted altogether, and shortening back those that require it. The 
iperior effect, the result of such a proceeding, is ample reward. Attend to all kinds of Roses, 
very description of climbing plant, &c. according to directions of last calendar. The occupants 
f conservative walls now require carefully treating, thinning, fastening, and disposing so as to 
isplay their beauties, and enable them to develop their flowers in a free and natural way. Very 
mch of the fine effect of these grand accompaniments of the flower-garden depends upon the treat- 
lent the plants which occupy them experience. 
In the parterre, the Box edgings will require neatly clipping ; the various beds must have the 
lants with which they are filled regularly gone over, preserving them within proper limits by 
lortening back the under and longest shoots, leaving others to fall into and occupy their places, 
nd all decaying flowers and their stems removed. Annuals should have their seed-vessels con- 
