.^^^C: 



:^^^?^ 



392 



EDITOR^S TABLB. 



piirpost'S, it is fnr superior to tlio spado, roiiuiring less manual exortion ; indeed, it can be 

 operated so exi>editiously, that it may eeouoniically supersede the hoe for destroying weeda, 

 an(i cultivating between tlie rows of gar(h)n crops. I have used it for many years to stir 

 and loosen the soil during summer, and have found great benefit from the practice. Weeds 

 are kept under, and the soil left in a condition to absorb and contain rains — an impoi tant 

 matter, as the sudden and heavy showers of suuimcr ruu oil" by the surface, unless the soil 

 is thus prepared. 



Now is a good time to sow seeds of beet, &c., to supply tender vegetables late in the fall. 

 Pens may still be sown ; winter spinach, and " s])routs" for use next spring, should be sown 

 this month ; lettuces and cabbages may now be attended to. Keep the growing crops clean, 

 anil stir occasionally the soil round thinn, to prevent the surface fiom "baking." 



(iHAPERY. — In cold houses, the fruit will be coloring. Badly colored grapes seem to bo 

 the rule; instead of being black, they are only red. Excessively rich boiders, a high night 

 temperature, badly constructed houses that will not admit of sufficient ventilation, and 

 rigi<l adherence to injudicious S3'stems of j)runing, are, separately, sufficient causes ot failure. 

 What can be expected, then, when they are combined ? Curvilinear houses are seldom con- 

 structed with sufficient toj) ventilation ; in the endeavor to reduce the t(;mpeiature, the 

 atmosphere is saturated with moisture. The high temperature to which the branches are 

 exposed, and the rich soil in which the roots are placed, tend to luxuriant growth. This 

 growlli, to accord with the system of pruning, must be constantly reduced. A degree of 

 excitement is thus maintained, altogether at variance with natural growth, as is shown by 

 deficient and immature crops. Cultivators should endeavor to acquaint themselves with 

 the principles upon which their operations are founded ; they would then be enabled to see 

 througli the rrt^to/io/c of their practice. Those who follow a routine are simply empirics, 

 and, in gardening matters, their name is legion. 



Gkeemiouse. — There is much interest attached to the raising of seedling plants ; even 

 when the seeds are saved at random, there is always a chance of producing something 

 superior, but under careful hybridization, it is almost a certainty. Seeds of calceolarias, 

 pausies, pelargoniums, and cinnerarias, should be sown this month, so that the plants may 

 be strong before winter. Small seeds, such as the first mentioned, recjuire to be very slightly 

 covered with soil ; and, in order to obviate frequent waterings, which is likely to disturb 

 them, cover the pot with a square of glass, and sprinkle a little sand over it, taking care to 

 remove it before the young plants become etiolated. Roses for winter flowering should be 

 lifted from the flower borders and potted; prune the branches, and place them where they 

 will be shaded for a few weeks, until fresli roots are formed ; then they may be fully ex- 

 posed to sun. Fine flowering plants are procured in this way. Cuttings of roses, pelargo- 

 niums, verbenas, &c., will root freely at this season, out of doors, if sheltered somewhat 

 from the sun. Success will be more certain, if planted in a frame having a northern ex- 

 posure, where they can be protected by a sash, if found necessary, during heavy rains, &c. 



Window Ctakdexixg.— Parlor Plants. — The greatest difficulty in the management of plants 

 in dwellings, is the absence of sufficient moisture in the atmosphere; uniformity of tempe- 

 rature may also be mentioned, and want of fresh air. Large foliaged plants are the least 

 satisfactory. The cactus family are well adapted, so far as constitutiem, but tliey have little 

 to recommend as floral ornaments. The epiphyllums and cereus sections, it is true, have 

 magnificent flowers, but the greater proportion of mamillaria, opuntia, melocatus, are more 

 curious in form than flower. Similar iu habit and growth are the various aloes ; A. nigra, 

 A. humilis, A. variegata, and A. retusa, may be mentioned as well adapted for this mode 

 of cultivation. Sempervirums and mesembryanthemums require similar treatment, and 

 some of them have beautiful flowers. These arc eminently cleanly plants, requiring little 

 waier, and never making a mess with falling leaves and buds. The cyclamen are most de- 

 sirable, as also the oxalis ; there arc many beautiful species of both these tribes. The leaves 

 should be kept clean, by syringing or sponging them individually. As a matter of clean- 

 liness, saucers are set under the pots containing the plants ; these should be emptied occa- 

 sionally of water. Even plants that delight in moisture will not thrive, if it stagnates 

 about their roots. 



