258 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



j Work for the Month in the Garden 



I SAMUEL GOLDING | 



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THE recent climatic conditions have been most favor- 

 able to the growth of late crops, and the outlook 

 at the time of writing^ is most encouraging and 

 full of promise for good supplies of late vegetables. 



The advent of Jack Frost cannot now be long delayed 

 and we realize that the time of seeding is over for the 

 season in the open ground, and our efforts must turn to 

 harvesting the ripe crops and to some means of protection 

 for the more tender subjects, endeavoring to prolong the 

 supply, and conserving whatever possible for use during 

 the long \\'inter ahead of us. 



Lift the main crop of potatoes as soon as they are ripe, 

 especially if the weather conditions are favorable, as they 

 will gain notliing by being left in the ground. Spread the 

 tubers out in a cool, airy place to dry. If disease is 

 present, they can then be carefully gone over and the 

 diseased tubers removed when storing away for the 

 Winter. 



Carrots and beets may be lifted and stored away in the 

 root cellar, but failing this, they may be ])laced in sand 

 in a frost proof shed. 



See that the onion crop is properly dried and harvested. 

 Before storing, it is advisable to turn them over occasion- 

 ally. Keep those w-ith thick necks for immediate use, as 

 their keeping qualities are poor. 



During this month celery will make raiiid growth, and 

 it is important that we keep ahead by earthing it up. 

 During the early weeks of October the rust is generally 

 more ])revalent, and where it appears it will demand 

 much attention to combat it. Remove and burn the 

 diseased leaves, and spray with liordeaux mixture to 

 prevent its spreading. 



Tie up the leaves of cauliflowers over the hearts to 

 keep that desirable white and clean appearance. Tie up 

 endive to blanch and have space ready in frames where 

 some may be placed in case of early frosts. 



Remove the lower leaves from the Brussels sprouts to 

 give them the benefit of all the light and air ])ossil)]e. 

 Keep the hoe going between the rows of late spinach, 

 kale, etc. 



Have a supply of salt hay or other suitable protecting 

 material to protect beans and lettuce, if necessary. Make 

 a i^oint of having the sashes ready in case of sudden 

 frost, to cover late crops growing in [lits and frames. 

 Ciive these plants every encouragement to make good 

 growth. .Ks soon as the land is cleared cjf early crops 

 sow Hairy \'etch and rye as advised in last month's 

 calender for ])lowing in for green manure in the early 

 S])ring. 



Remove the runners from the young strawberrv plants 

 anrl cultivate to encourage the formation of fine crowns 

 for next year's fruiting. 



Commence to collect material for mushroom beds for 

 ^^'intc^ supjjly. 



Push r)n with the planting of new penny beds: divide 

 and transplant where necessary in .September, giving 

 them a good rich rooting medium. 



Divide and transplant the Oriental I'oppy in .Se|)tem- 

 ber, and make root cuttings of any ])artiinlar varieties yon 

 wish to increase. 



This season has been particularly favorable to the 

 growth and abundance of blodiii among the jierennials 



and Summer-flowering bulbs, such as Physostegia vir- 

 s^hiico, I'croiiica longifolia, snbscssilis, Cimicifitga .«;«- 

 pic.v, Artemisia lactillora. Eryngiiim amcthystinuui. Sal- 

 via farinacca. The last named, although fairly hardy, is 

 best treated as an annual. It makes a fine combination 

 with the above, which are all worth a place in the garden. 



The newer varieties of montbretias are amnng the 

 brightest and most attractive of Summer flowering bulbs. 

 Their merits need to be better known to be properly ap- 

 preciated. The colors range through yellow to scarlet 

 and are fine for garden decoration and lasting as a cut 

 flower. The bulbs need protection during \\'inter where 

 they are established, or they can be taken up and given 

 treatment similar to gladiolus bulbs. 



Continue to give dahlias every attention until cut down 

 by the frost. These flowers are enjoying well-deserved 

 popularity now. Many and increasing numbers of ama- 

 teurs are falling under their spell, as a visit to the forth- 

 coming dahlia shows will fully demonstrate. Each year 

 we find improvements on the varied types, whether for 

 use as bedding plants, garden decoration or cut flowers. 



During Sei)tember the perennial borders are gay with 

 flowers of many hues and colors. The perennials, an- 

 nuals, gladioli, cannas and dahlias vie to create a picture 

 unsurpassed at any other season of the year. But the 

 frost may be here at any time to take the most tender, 

 although some may persist throughout October, or until 

 the first real killing frost. 



Some protection is necessary for the later blonniing 

 hardy chrysanthemums. They are well worth the little 

 extra' trou1>le it may take to keeji early frost from injur- 

 ing them. 



1 f any alterations in the gardens are contemplated it 

 should 1)L- done at the first opportunity. If these are 

 carried out early in October the ground is warm and the 

 newly planted stuff will commence to form root which 

 will help them to winter well. Tt is best to transplant 

 Spring ;uid early Summer bloonu'ng subjects earU' in 

 the b'all, and Fall and late bloomers in the Spring. 



See that newly sown lawns do not suffer from drought. 

 The late sown seed will need every encouragement to be- 

 come well-established before severe frosts. Push on with 

 moving and trans]>lanting evergreens and avoid all un- 

 neces.sary exposure of the roots to the sun and wind, and 

 water well after planting if dry weather jirevails. 



Many varieties of fruit will now need attention. A])- 

 ple.s and jjcars will l)e fit to gather when the fruit is 

 easily separated from the tree, when gently lifted. 



To keep grapes, they must be kept free from insects, 

 and good bunches should be protected bv cheese cloth 

 bags. 



fJ^HE M.4SSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COL- 

 LL(;K. co-npcralin^ «illi rlic Natiniiiil ,\ssiniiiti(iri 

 of (^unleiiiM's. lias intrixliKiil .i ciiiirso for tniiniii): \oiinf; 

 gardeners, where they ran ohiain holli a tlieoretiral and 

 prai'tiral knnu Ird^c. Kiill infurnialiiin ni:i\ In- olilainril 

 by addref.sinf; 



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