i88tJ hints for AMATEURS. 403 



box-trimming may have attention now : repairing lawns by turf, and 

 sowing of grass, may be done when weather is moist. Walk-turning, 

 to destroy moss, and gravelling, may be done now, but better later. 

 Every portion of the ground should show taste and high keeping. As 

 leaves will now begin to drop, especially Limes, much labour must be 

 expended to keep all parts in good order. Pinks and Carnations 

 rooted may now be planted. We often have found these do best of 

 all by allowing them to remain to the old plants all the winter, and 

 during April lift them and plant carefully, with all roots entire. Sow 

 annuals now of choice kinds, to stand the winter and flower in spring. 

 They may be sown in boxes or on a border, to be transplanted when 

 the other bedders are done with. Roses should have all dead bloom 

 cut off as they appear. To keep mildew in check, a syringing of soapy 

 water, in which a quantity of sulphur is mixed, will be of much ser- 

 vice : so will Gishurst's Compound. Strong rambling shoots cut back 

 will throw out later a number of useful blooms. Climbers should be 

 regulated by thinning their growths. 



PLANT-STRUCTURES. 



The work in this department is much as was recommended for last 

 month. A general preparation for harvesting the stock through the 

 winter should now have attention. The washing of all glass houses, 

 lights of pits, frames, &c., may with every advantage be done now, 

 heating apparatus examined, painting, done, or any other work which 

 will aid the keeping of the plants in good condition during the winter 

 season. All hard-wood plants should be overhauled : surfaced if 

 wanted, drainage put right, pots washed, worms eradicated, staked 

 where wanted (much of this is ruinous to the appearance of the plants), 

 and any trimming required (for appearance' sake, which will not injure 

 the plants) should have attention at " housing time." All soft wooded 

 plants, such as Pelargoniums, Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Kalosanthes, 

 ^0., requiring more pot-room, should get it before growth becomes 

 sluggish, and while there are sun and air to help them on. Cut 

 down stage Pelargoniums which are for late work. Those which are 

 well broken into fresh growth should be shaken out and re-potted into 

 smaller sizes, using rather sandy soil for this work, which gives plenty 

 of fibre for next shift, when the soil is richer and the shifts of some size. 

 Fumigate with tobacco three times a week, to keep aphis in check. 

 Plants not required for the conservatory for some time should be ar- 

 ranged in classes — as examples, Azaleas by themselves ; also Heaths and 

 Epacris; and so on, according to time of flowering or taking to forcing- 

 house. They should be in lots ready to be removed as required, with- 

 out disarranging the whole stock. Roses of the Tea class, and Chinas, 

 should be put right at roots by sound drainage, surfacing, or potting, 

 if they require it. All inert soil should be taken away, as far as it 

 can be spared, and replaced with good wholesome loam and very rotten 



2 D 



