182 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST, 
[ august, 
GAEDEN WOKE FOE AUGUST. 
FLOWERS. 
^"LOWER-GARDENS will now be at their best. To render this flush of 
G'A' ; gaiety as lasting and satisfactory as possible, strict attention must be given 
f to maintaining good order and keeping, removing decaying blossoms, and 
preserving clearly-defined outlines, as any intermixture of pattern or any 
badly-defined lines of edging are most objectionable. Amongst foliage plants 
the Golden Feather and the cliarmingly-pretty Stellaria require weekly attention 
to preserve perfect neatness. The turf must be kept fresh during dry weather 
by frequent waterings, as a smooth verdant groundwork is essential to general 
effect. Continue to propagate perennial and biennial plants. The present is a 
good time to propagate Alyssum saxatile and its varieties, Iheris corifolia and /. 
gibrcdtarica , in light sandy soil under the shade of a wall, in a hand-light or frame. 
That noble plant, the Pocket , having been cut down after flowering, should now 
be divided, as it is making fresh growth from the crowns. That favourite 
spring-blooming plant, Myosotis dissitijlora , should be divided into small portions, 
and these planted G in. or 8 in. apart; seedlings of the Myosotis and of the 
Wallflower should be transplanted. As success in forcing Violets greatly depends 
upon the vigour and maturity of their previous growth they must have every 
attention in watering, which tends to keep spider back, during dry weather, the 
runners being cut back as they advance. 
Hoses: Finish budding, and encourage perpetuals to make vigorous growth, so 
as to induce late blooms. Propagate from cuttings all kinds of Roses, and what¬ 
ever the variety, when taken thus early, they should have the protection of a 
frame; Teas, Noisettes, and Chinas do best with the addition of a slight bottom- 
heat. 
Conservatory: Amongst plants in flower at the present time is the deliciously- 
scented Tuberose , so powerful in its fragrance that one is forcibly reminded of its 
presence upon entering a house containing it. It is of the easiest culture, but is 
so seldom met with that many gardeners do not even know it by sight. That 
most effective plant, the Tritonia , is doing good service at present, the con¬ 
spicuous T. Brilliant and T. crocata producing their light and graceful spikes of 
bloom in the greatest profusion. Statice Holfordi is a most desirable plant for 
conservatory embellishment at this season, on account of its standing so long in 
bloom. Crinum amabile stands well in conservatories at this time of the year, 
and from its effective inflorescence and delicious fragrance, it is deserving of more 
extensive cultivation. The different varieties of Begonia are also most effective 
in these structures, when in bloom, if kept free from the attacks of insects. 
Stoves : All plants that are maturing growth should be more exposed to air, 
with less shade, and less water at the root, fire-heat being dispensed with during 
hot tropical weather by shutting up early. At the same time, sudden transitions 
should always be avoided. Such plants as Bougainvilleas , Clerodendrons , 
Gardenias , Ixoras , &c., which have finished blooming, should be encouraged to 
make vigorous growth in a brisk temperature, with frequent applications of 
manure-water. Thin and shorten the shoots of Stephanotis after blooming, 
whether upon trellis or roof, as on this being done they make more free and 
perfect growth than if left in dense masses. Poinsettias should now have an 
abundance of air to prevent drawing, and such as are well established should be 
fully exposed upon every favourable occasion ; Euphorbias must also be fully 
exposed to light, and kept close to the glass, 
