IN THE FLOWER GARDEN. 

 T^HIS month is the best time for propagating plants for 



turning out into beds next year ; they get well *^ 

 rooted, and, having the leads stopped, are bushy plants by winter 

 setting in, and are well prepared to stand the effects of winter without 

 injury ; but before it is proceeded with to any material extent, it is 

 as well that a proper arrangement should be made as to what number 

 of plants are required in another season. Examine the effects of 

 colours ; investigate their combinations and contrasts, so as to improve 

 and vary the arrangement another season. To keep up the interest of 

 a garden, especially if planted on the grouping system, requires some 

 considerable skill and forethought, to vary the scene in each succeeding 

 year, so as to prevent the arrangement becoming monotonous. Thus 

 if warm colours prevail to any material extent this season, it would be 

 as well to introduce a majority of cold colours next season, and to edge 

 each bed of the latter with its complimentary warm colour. Indeed, 

 the system of edging beds with contrasting colours imparts a highly 

 interesting feature, especially to such as may be distributed over the 

 lawn without any methodical arrangements. 



Florists' Flowers. — Auriculas, or Polyanthus : seedlings that 

 have hitherto been kept in pans or boxes may now be potted singly in 

 small pots; such as were potted earlier will, perhaps, require shifting 

 into a larger size. Plants which were potted in May should have the 

 surface-soil stirred occasionally. Carnations and Picotees : the prin- 

 cipal operation this month will be the layering, which should be pro- 

 ceeded with, and completed as soon as possible. Water over head 

 with a fine rosed pot as often as necessary. Pinks : some florists layer 

 the strongest shoots, and pipe the second crop of weaker ones, con- 

 tending that these last root much more freely. Be that as it may, 

 whether pipings or layers, those intended for next year's blooming are 

 better planted out now, or at least as soon as they are fairly rooted. 

 The beds should be made of well- decomposed dung, sound loam, and 

 leaf-soil, equal parts ; in fact, they ought to be rich, as there is little 

 danger of the Pink discolouring. The reason why we prefer planting 

 at this time is that the plants get well established, stand the winter 

 better, and lace much more correctly than when the planting season is 

 deferred. The surplus stock may be put out on store beds. A second 

 crop of pipings may be put in, where it is desirous to increase the 

 stock. Cinerarias : as the plants which have been turned out into the 

 open border throw up suckers, they should be carefully removed, 

 potted into small pots, and placed in a cool shady frame until suffi- 

 ciently established. Sow seed in a light rich soil, and pot off the plants 



