SEPTEMBER. 



287 



Flower Garden. — The work of propagation will now require much 

 attention, as, on the early striking of the stock for next year, the health 

 and hardiness of the plants will mainly depend. For all kinds of 

 Geraniums, no better plan can be adopted than what we advised in our 

 last, in sticking the cuttings in the open ground (at any rate for the 

 middle and south of England) : a south border, over which spread a few 

 inches in depth of light soil mixed with sand, is all that is necessary ; 

 it will assist some of the tender kinds, as Mountain of Light, Golden 

 Chain, and Lady Plymouth ; to put a sprinkling of white sand at the 

 bottom of the drill, for the base of the cuttings to rest on, make the 

 cuttings firm. When a large stock of soft things is required, as 

 Petunias, Verbenas, Senecios, Ageratums, Lobelias, Anagallis, &c, a 

 cheap way is to make a slight hotbed, two or three feet high, to hold a 

 number of handglasses ; cover over with two or three inches of sandy 

 soil, and then, when the soil gets slightly warmed, insert the cuttings in 

 squares, and cover them with the glasses. Shade in bright sunshine, and, 

 when the plants commence growing, give air gradually, and, when fully 

 rooted, remove the glasses altogether. Plants struck in this way are 

 remarkably strong and stocky. As we winter this class in shallow 

 propagating pans, we have only to lift the plants in bunches sufficient to 

 fill a pan, when they are rooted, place them in a sheltered place, to 

 harden off for the winter. All the above may likewise be struck by 

 inserting the cuttings in shallow pots, and placing them in an empty 

 frame. Take care of the seed of choice annuals as it ripens, and mark 

 all good seedling plants, for further trial. For routine, see our last, as 

 to keeping all clean, &c. 



Hard-icooded Plants. — Heaths, Epacrises, and New Holland plants 

 are very impatient of too much wet, and therefore should heavy rains 

 occur, some means of protecting them should be resorted to, such as by 

 making a slight frame of wood over them, on which to throw some 

 waterproof material during heavy rains. These plants grow much more 

 freely out, from July to the commencement of October, if protected as 

 described. From this season, we should prefer their having the full 

 sun, and to be placed sufficiently wide apart for the plants to grow 

 equally on all sides. Use sulphur over parts infested with mildew, 

 and see that worms do not gain admittance into the pots. 



Hollyhocks. — Continue to put in cuttings or plant them out in beds ; 

 by these means, a large stock of plants may be procured if diligently 

 attended to. If the seed is sown as soon as ripe, and pricked off into 

 thumb-pots, one in a pot, they will be ready to plant out in April, and 

 will flower well the following August and September. 



Kitchen Garden. — The sowing of vegetable crops will be nearly over. 

 A few Radishes, Lettuces, Cauliflowers, and Spinach, may be sown 

 early in the month ; to stand a chance, should anything occur 

 to the regular crops, for it is always well to be provided against con- 

 tingencies ; and, therefore, all that remains in this way is to see well 

 to the growing crops, and more especially to fill up all vacant ground 

 with Greens, Broccoli, &c. ; thin out winter Spinach, Lettuce, Tur- 

 nips, and prick out the winter Cauliflowers and Cabbage, &c, 

 hoe and keep clean all advancing crops, earthing up Celery and 



