264 THE FLORIST. 



months the better. Place the plants in the situations they will oc- 

 cupy when in bloom ; the space between may be filled up with flower- 

 ing- bulbs. Tie a piece of strong bast under the rim of the pot, and 

 to this train down the shoots, taking care not to break them out of 

 the stem. The best time to do this is when the plants are dry, and 

 the shoots pliable. No more shifting will be required till January. 

 Seedlings not removed into their blooming-pots had better be shifted 

 at once, if well rooted round the ones they are in. A 5 or 6-inch size 

 will be quite large enough for them to flower in. If fire is required, 

 let it be no more than is absolutely necessary to exclude frost. 



Pinks. If the beds intended for next year's bloom are not already 

 completed, no time should be lost in making a finish. The surface 

 of the bed should be moved as often as closed by rain^ and the soil 

 pressed to the roots of such plants as are loosened by worms. Fresh 

 earth may be added if the 'beds have sunk, and require it. Look 

 over the tallies, and replace those that are not legible. Late and 

 weakly pipings of valuable and scarce kinds may be potted, one pair 

 in a 6'O-sized pot, and protected in frames through the winter. 



Polyanthuses. The directions given last month for the manage- 

 ment of the plants will apply to the present ; and if not carried out, 

 should have early attention. Make an industrious search after slugs 

 at this period ; it will avert much mischief in the spring. Draw the 

 soil well up to the shoulders of the plants, or add a little more, if 

 required, to make the beds level. Polyanthuses, under pot-culture, 

 will bear more moisture than Auriculas ; but, in other respects, the 

 treatment will be the same for this month. 



Ranunculuses. Seedlings which came up last month should be 

 placed in a cold frame, giving air at all favourable seasons, and care- 

 fully protecting from excess of moisture. Watch against the ra- 

 vages of slugs. Much damage to seedling crops is done by these 

 depredators while very young, only recently hatched ; and with the 

 protection of frames, their industry does not cease so soon as in the 

 open air. An occasional look at the stock of tubers, to see if they 

 are free from damp and vermin, is the only attention required at this 

 season. 



Roses in Pots. Plants that have been making a gay appearance 

 under glass, will now be going fast out of flower; and it will be well 

 to give a little protection after taking them out of a greenhouse, before 

 plunging them for the winter. 



Tulips. If Tulips be not already planted, no time should be lost 

 in doing so; the longer they are out of the ground, the greater will 

 be the probability of a deficient and imperfect bloom next season ; 

 nature herself, in pushing forth the bulbs, is plainly telling where 

 they ought to be. If the mould on the surface of those beds, w'hich 

 are already planted, be set or battered by the rain, a light raking on 

 a fine dry day will be beneficial. 



