JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



Hollyhocks can be propagated from cuttings. Use the 

 growth thrown up at the base of the plants, cut each shoot 

 below a joint, and put in a frame of sandy soil. 



OCTOBER, 



Shrubs can be propagated by layers or cuttings. 



More cuttings of Calceolarias, Pentstemons, Violas, etc., 

 can be put in if some of those inserted last month have 

 failed to live. 



Continue to sweep up leaves as they fall, for leaf-mould. 



At the end of the month shrubberies can be forked over 

 after raking off any undesirable shrub leaves and pine 

 needles. 



Structural alterations and improvements can be com- 

 menced and should be pushed forward on fine days. 



Rock and border flowers of all kinds may now be planted. 

 Rock-gardens should be top-dressed with fine soil early 

 this month. 



Cut down border plants when they have finished bloom- 

 ing, to within 3-4 ins. of the ground. No further crop 

 of flowers will be given. 



Cut flowers regularly from plants still in bloom, and 

 keep the soil well hoed around their roots. 



Pull up annuals which have gone out of bloom. 



Roll garden paths well, if possible once a week. 



Pull up summer bedding and plant winter or spring 

 bedding plants such as Wallflowers, Forget-me-nots, 

 Sweet Williams, Canterbury Bells, Alyssum saxatile, 

 Arabis albida, etc. The Canterbury Bells and Sweet 

 Williams should have a bed to themselves for they are 

 not over by the time the Wallflowers have to be taken 

 up (see Chapter V). 



Plant bulbs in beds and borders as advised in Chapter 

 XIV. The earlier this can be done the better. 



Naturalise bulbs in grass as described in Chapter XV. 



Ventilate frames containing cuttings on suitable days. 



Continue to stake and tie up late-flowering border plants, 



