200 



The Hoiiiculturist and Journal 



Greenhouse for September. 



IN the latitude of New York it is not safe 

 to trust very tender plants out-of-doors 

 after the third week in this month, for we 

 frequently get a sharp frost for a night or two 

 about that time, and if the thermometer does 

 not fall to freezing, there are usually a few 

 nights cold enough to give hot-house plants a 

 severe check ; and although it does not con- 

 tinue cold but one or two nights, mischief 

 may be done which cannot be easily re- 

 paired ; for example, two years ago several 

 growers had their Bouvardias caught by 

 frost about that time, and although the 

 plants were not killed, it spoiled the flower- 

 ing. Some situations are more liable to 

 early and late frost than others, and the 

 necessary precautions must be taken in time 

 to prevent damage. Such plants as Ca- 

 mellias and Azaleas with other hardy plants 

 will do best outside until the end of the month, 

 as it will give a longer season for the summer 

 occupants of the house, for, by that time the 

 beauty of many of the temporary plants will 

 be past. 



Poinsettias and Euphofhia Jacqru- 

 niflora should be the first plants to place in- 

 side. These plants suffer easily from either 

 low temperature or heavy soaking of rain, by 

 making the leaves yellow ; these fall off pre- 

 maturely and the flowers are not so fine. 



Bouvardias should be lifted from the 

 open ground and either potted or planted in 

 a warm part of the greenhouse ; if the ground 

 is very dry the plants should have a good 

 soaking of water previous to lifting, but it is 

 usually possible with a small number of 

 plants to use the opportunity of a shower of 

 rain for taking up these sorts of plants. 



Carnations are best taken up before the 

 end of the month, for although these plants 

 are not tender, if they are expected to flower 

 satisfactory, it is necessary to have them well 

 established in winter quarters early in the 

 geason, find we then cari give abundance of 



air day and night until very cold weather 

 commences ; if these plants are grown in 

 large quantities, it is best to plant them on 

 the benches of the greenhouse, but the small 

 number usually grown by amateurs, is most 

 conveniently grown in seven or eight-inch 

 pots ; a good loam mixed with rotten manure 

 is best for these plants. The soil in the neigh- 

 borhood of Flatbush is specially good for 

 carnation growing. 



Tender lioscs in pots intended to flower 

 during winter should be placed in a frame ; 

 if necessary to give them larger pots it should 

 be done at once, to obtain plenty of roots 

 before winter, or they will not flower satis- 

 factory. We find a good strong plant of 

 Marshal Niel and one of Lamarque trained 

 on roofs, give a large quantity of flowers 

 during the winter and spring with a few at 

 all times during the summer ; with little 

 attention we have generally flowers to cut at 

 all seasons, but the largest number about 

 Easter, when flowers are most in request. 



Calla Lilies which have been at rest 

 during the summer, should now be shaken 

 entirely out of old soil and all offsets removed 

 and potted into same sizes of pots again. 

 We find seven and eight-inch pots the most 

 useful sizes for these plants. They do best 

 in a good strong loam with a portion of rotten 

 manure, and should be potted very firm with 

 the soil just covering the crown of plant, for 

 the principal feeding roots are formed round 

 the crown. After potting we stand the pots 

 outside in full sun, and give water enough to 

 keep the soil just moist, and remove to green- 

 house on first risk of frost. Our plants com- 

 mence to flower in November, and continue 

 to bloom until they are removed outside in 

 May, and are indispensable for church deco- 

 ration. 



Crassula Lactea nmst not be over- 

 watered at this season, or the growth will be 

 soft and few flowers obtained. Grive the plant 

 full sun and plenty of air. 



Epiphi/llfuns and Cactus generally 

 will require less water at this season, but do 

 not keep the plants dry enough to shrivel. 

 The more sun and light these plants obtain, 



