216 MISCELLANY OF NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 



perform this operation the moment that the flower-bud is decidedly formed. As 

 compost, I would recommend two-thirds of fibrous loam of an unctuous cha- 

 racter, and one-third of fibrous heath soil. The more fibrous and lumpy it is 

 the better, and a good sprinkling of charcoal in small masses, with sharp silver 

 sand, should be added. Let the pots be most completely drained, by placing 

 some large crocks in a very hollow position at the bottom ; topping these up 

 with a pounded mixture of broken crocks and charcoal, from which all the very 

 small particles have been riddled. Cover this with very fibrous turf in small 

 lumps, before placing the ball, and keep pressing the material (not ramming) 

 close, with the fingers, during the process of filling up, observing to have the 

 compost in a mellow state, rather inclining to dryness. One most material 

 point is, to see that the ball is thoroughly moistened before shifting ; if any 

 doubt of this exist, let the ball be steeped in water for a quarter of an hour, 

 previous to potting. When the flower-buds are in clusters, thin them, so as to 

 leave no more than are likely to be perfected. If too many remain they injure 

 the plant, and eventually drop off in spring. 



Dahlias. — Thin out the branches of those kinds which are introduced for 

 shows, and if it is desired to increase the stock of any new one, cuttings may be 

 selected which will readily strike and form good sized pot-roots : water should 

 be given copiously every evening, during dry weather; a stratum of manure 

 should be laid for three feet around the stem of each plant, which will greatly 

 assist in promoting a vigorous growth, and in the production of fine blooms 

 during the ensuing month. 



Calceolarias. — Cut off the flowering stems, place the pots in a cool frame, 

 shade from hot sun. In a week or ten days repot them. (See Article in July 

 Number.) 



Auriculas and Polyanthuses. — Seedlings raised during spring should now 

 be transplanted into pots for blooming next season. Repot, the old stock. 

 (See Articles upon it.) 



Carnations. — The blooms are now beginning to fade, and the operation of 

 laying should be performed without delay: in doing this, take your seat astride 

 a common form, get the pot before you, and steady the layers with your left 

 hand, resting the back of your right hand upon the edge of the pot and holding 

 the knife upwards between your two fore fingers and thumb, then with a 

 steady band and correct eye, cut upwards quite through the middle of the second 

 or third joint from the top ; the cut may be extended a full quarter of an inch 

 beyond the joints ; if the joints are wide apart, always take the second ; remove 

 the leaves that ensheath the joints, and shorten the nib just below them ; be 

 careful not to break off the layers in pegging them down, and cover the joints 

 three quarters of an inch deep ; remove them into the shade, water them with 

 a fine rosed pot, and repeat it afterwards as often as necessary. Never cut off 

 the tips of the leaves. 



Ranunculuses, Tulips, Anemones, &c. — Roots should now be taken up and 

 gradually and well dried in an airy room. 



Roses. — Budding should be finished as soon as possible. 



Mignonette, to bloom during winter, should now be sown in pots. 



Flower Garden. — Heartsease should be propagated by slips, put into a 

 shady border, and kept quite moist till they have taken root, these will form fine 

 strong plants for blooming the spring following. Chrysanthemums should have 

 their shoots stopped to make them branch, and keep them bushy, not later than 

 the middle of this month, as, if done later, the lateral produce would be weak 

 and the blossoms small. 



Where the plant has numerous shoots, they should be thinned out to a few, to 

 have them large and showy. 



Cuttings of Verbenas, Pelargoniums, double Ragwort, Petunias, Heliotropes, 

 Anagallises, Calceolarias, Hemimeris, Salvias, Bouvardias, &c. should imme- 

 diately be struck where a stock is required for beds next year. If this attention 

 is delayed, the plants will not be so rooted as to be likely to survive the winter. 



Pinks. — If pipings, or slips, be well rooted, about the middle of the month, 

 they should be planted in beds, or potted. 



