224 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



now be struck; they will make pretty plants for next season; as also sundry 

 greenhouse plants. 



Dahlias. — Where the laterals or buds are very numerous, they should be thinned 

 out so as to have vigorous blooms. Towards the end of the month collect seed 

 of the early-blown flowers. 



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. Seeds should be sown as early now as possible. 



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. 



Verbena Melindris (chamaedrifolia). 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 cool 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. 



Plants of Chinese Chrysanthemums should be re-potted if necessary; fur if 

 done later the blossoms will be small. Use the richest soil. Pinch off the heads 

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



When Petunias, Heliotropium, Salvias, Pelargoniums, (Geraniums, Mesem- 

 bryauthemums, Bouvardias,) &c. 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, 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 in the ensuing May 

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



Tigridia pavonia roots may generally be taken up about the end of the month. 



Lisianthus Russelliauus seed sown immediately will produce plants for next 

 year's blooming. It is one of the finest plants grown. It is best treated as a 

 stove biennial. 



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

 striking slips. They should be struck in heat. 



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 very freely, 

 and be good plants for next season. 



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

 winter. 



Greenhouse plants will generally require to be taken in by the end of the 

 month ; if allowed to remain out much longer, the foliage will often turn brown 

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



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



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

 up now, and replant them immediately. 



Ranunculus 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 

 lime, 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. 



