240 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



month. If allowed to remain out much longer, the foliage will often turn brown 

 from the effect of cold air. The earlier succulents are the better. 



Lobelias. — Offsets should be potted off, so as to have them well rooted before 

 winter. 



Mignonette may now be sown in pots, to bloom in winter. 



Pelargoniums, cuttings of, may now be put off; plants of which will bloom in 

 May. 



If Pelargoniums have not been headed down, they should now be done, the 

 shoots may push a little before repotting for winter. Plants which have been 

 headed down, and have pushed shoots two inches long should be repotted. 



Pinks, pipings of, if struck, may be taken off and planted in the situations 

 intended for blooming in next season. 



Plants of Herbaceous Calceolarias should now be divided, taking off offsets 

 and planting them in small pots. Cut off the flower stems of such as have done 

 blooming, to induce shoots to be vigorous. 



Plants of Chinese Chrysanthemums should be repotted if necessary ; for if 

 done later, the blossom will be small. Use the richest Boil. Pinch off' the 

 heads to cause the production of laterals, so as to have a head of flowers. 



Plants of Pentstemons should be divided by taking off offsets, or increased by 

 striking slips. They should be struck in heat. 



Pansies. — The tops and slips of Pansies should now be cut off, and be inserted 

 under a hand-glass, or where they can be shaded a little. They will root freely, 

 and be good plants for next season. 



Polyanthus and Auricula seed should be sown immediately', or otherwise be 

 kept till spring. 



Ranuncxdus beds should now be prepared as follows : — The depth of soil to be 

 two feet and a half, of a rich clayey, friable loam, retentive of moisture ; about 

 six or eight inches from the surface to be a rich light loam, of a sandy nature. 

 Remove the whole of the soil with the remains of the dung given last year, and 

 turn up the subsoil a whole spade in depth, breaking it well. If the beds are 

 allowed to remain in this state for a day or two to sweeten the subsoil, it will be 

 an advantage. Then place upon the subsoil a layer of cow-dung, at least one 

 year old, four inches thick ; then scatter over it the fine powder of new-slaked 

 Jime, to correct any acidity and destroy the worms. Then fill up with new 

 light soil, taken from the surface of the old tulip-bed or potato-ground, which 

 has been frequently turned to sweeten it. 



Sweet William seed now sown will soon strike and the plants bloom next season. 



Seeds of many kinds of flowers will be ripe for gathering this month. 



Tigridia, Commellina, and similar roots, may be taken up about the end of 

 the month. 



Verbenas. — Runners of this plant should now be taken off, planting them in 

 small pots, half filled with potsherds, and the rest with good loamy soil, then 

 placing them in a shady situation. It should be attended to as early in the 

 month as convenient. When taken into a cold frame or greenhouse for winter 

 protection, much of the success depends on being kept near the glass; or sink a 

 box or two, half filled with potsherds, and the other good loamy soil, round the 

 plant, so that the runners, being pegged down to the soil, will soon take root at 

 the joints. When a sufficient number are rooted, separate the stems from the 

 parent plant, and those in the boxes will be well established, and, being removed 

 before frost, are easily preserved in winter, as done with those in pots. 



When Lilies, Crown Imperials, Narcissuses, &c, require dividing, take them 

 up now, and replant immediately ; also plant Hyacinths and Crocuses, &c, 

 either in beds or in pots for forcing. 



When Petunias, Heliotropium, Salvias, Pelargoniums, (Geraniums), &c, that 

 have been grown in open borders, and it is desirable to have bushy plants for 

 the same purpose the next year, it is now the proper time to take off' slips (select 

 the short and well-ripened ones), and insert a number in a pot ; afterwards place 

 them in a hot-bed frame, or other situation having the command of heat. When 

 struck root, they may be placed in a greenhouse or cool frame to preserve them 

 from frost during winter. When divided and planted out the ensuing May in 

 open borders of rich soil, the plants will be stocky, and bloom profusely. 



