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GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



The Greenhouse, Month to Month 



W. R. FOWKES 



ClIRVSAXTHEMUMS have exceptional merits a; 

 a season when Nature has clothed herself in grey, 

 for they produce an almost endless variety of color, 

 and to this, may be added the wonderful readiness to 

 aflapt themselves to the most smoky surroundings. The 

 extent of one's ambition as a chrysanthemum grower 

 must vary with the opportunities and the time at one's 

 disposal, but as soot and smoke are not against the efforts 

 of most of us, we may well take heart. Those who are 

 really in earnest will be certain to succeed and in a season 

 or so will develop into experts. 



Some years ago the 'mum season was of short duration ; 

 many people did not deem it worthy to spend a year for 

 a brief display, but thanks to the hybridizers, we have 

 now a range of varieties, extending from early September 

 until the end of January. A protracted sojourn has been 

 established and all lovers of the beautiful Queen of 

 Autumn are fairly bewildered at the great change. If 

 they have had the cultural details prescribed previously, 

 little remains to perfect the 'good work. Red spider is 

 a -dangerous enemy, and tO' avoid it, the foliage should 

 be cleansed and a sweet, cool atmosphere maintained. Re- 

 member that 'mums are cool loving subjects and will not 

 submit to coddling. 



One should be careful to keep water off the opening 

 blooms. \\'ater with a can in the forenoon, mopping u\> 

 anv dampness. Stop feeding, for the food contained will 

 be sufficient. Should any petals decay, take them oft" 

 carefully. -\ slight shatle is also helpful. 



Caladiums that have arrayed the conservatory must be 

 gradually rested, and wintered in no less a temperature 

 than 60 degrees. Gloxinias should be treated likewise, 

 only a lower temperature will be necessary. 



Calla lilies will come in to follow Summer plants. 

 Chorizemas are a most interesting genus of plants, natives 

 of .\ustralia, which bloom exceedingly well in Winter 

 and are of easy culture, not difficult to manage, useful 

 for cut flowers and decorations. Those recently potted 

 will now require a nice warm corner of the greenhouse, 

 careful watering, and when thoroughly established, a 

 watering of soot-water twice daily. 



Primula obcoiiica is very decorative, but does not suc- 

 ceed in hot weather. They can at this time be given 

 their final potting, even if partly blooming. 



Cyclamen are usually better if potted not later than 

 the middle of September, but fine specimens can be had 

 by placing them in eight inch pots by the first of Novem- 

 ber. Use cinders for drainage and fumigate once weekly 

 to keep aphis way. Do not allow overhead watering 

 and give full light and cautious ventilation. Draughts 

 must now be avoided. We have reached the Autumn 

 period when maturity demands care, and carelessness in 

 ventilation will surely bring its disastrous train of disease. 



Orchids now take on a firmer and more solid growth. 

 Cattlcya labiafa, with its double sheaf, is blooming and 

 along with it. Catflcya Bon'rin^iana with its large bunch 

 of pur])le protruding from a slender bulb. Supply these 

 fleshy blooms with sufficient water, and reduce the tem- 

 perature, but not with a lot of air. The orchids in bloom 

 demand shade. Orchids are getting to the position they 

 occupied many years ago, being owned only by a few. 



\'. e can no longer buy the im])orted products from the 

 Indies and other remote lands, so we must do our own 

 propagating by division. Take a strong plant only for 

 this puqjose, and partly divide with an incision through 

 the rhizome, and in a month's time, keeping it fairly dry, 

 the work can be completed. 



Oranges and lemons are favorite plants for many 

 people, and those desirous of obtaining specimens should 

 sow the pips now. in pots containing light rich loam and 

 bottom heat. When 18 inches high, bud or graft, with 

 [irolific kinds. 



The home greenhouse is not intended for a botanical 

 museum. It is our place to make it profitable, and then 

 it will surely please the eye. I shall never forget Hamil- 

 ton Scott's place at Yonkers. For limited glass room he 

 displayed good judgment. In a small range of glass he 

 raised in the W inter months two crops of tomatoes, 

 Winter Beauty being succeeded by Comet ; cucumbers in 

 iO-inch pots were grown at the end of the house; string 

 lieans in 10-inch pots between spaces on benches : chicory 

 in pots under the benches : asparagus and rhubarb, and 

 while the latter plants were young, lettuce and radishes 

 were grown. Smilax was grown for table decorations 

 up the supporting columns of the greenhouse. It is time 

 to sow this plant, and give plenty of water to swell the 

 hard seeds. 



Cauliflower should now be sown to occupy a cool bench 

 when it appears. Vaughan's new Snowball is excellent 

 Sown in a pot or bo.x, with little trouble, they will germi- 

 nate and can be transplanted into small pots, and remain 

 until ready for planting. Be careful to soak the soil with 

 a light dose of Vermine before planting, so club will not 

 appear afterwards. Gladioli are useful favorites indoors, 

 requiring a long season of growth. The Bride is a fine 

 early white and needs cool treatment, similar to freesia 

 culture. Do not try to force or one will get nothing but 

 leaves. 



Freesias must occupy as light and cool a position as 

 possible. They need supports, and a few twigs are suit- 

 able. 



Strawberry plants should be now given their final shift 

 into 6-inch pots. It was once thought useless to pot after 

 July, but heavy crops have been grown in 5-inch pots, 

 which were potted early in November. The most im- 

 portant feature is the proper soil. It should l>e heavy and 

 contain no humus, but bone meal, and the perfect kind 

 is \'aughan's rose grower. The plants should be potted 

 firmly and placed in a frame plunged in ashes, where they 

 can remain until January. 



The pot fruit trees must be kept outdoors and allowed 

 to freeze. The first November frosts will help to season 

 them, and they must not be excited. 



If rose benches are uneven and the soil washed away 

 from the roots in places, fill in with soil from the com- 

 post heap. Do not top dress with cow dung. It is an 

 expensive item that is unnecessary, and produces black 

 spot invariably. 



Take thy self-denials gayly and cheerfully, and let the 

 sunshine of thy gladness fall on dark things and bright 

 alike, like the sunshine of the .Almighty. — J. F. Cl.vrke. 



