434 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



this ripening or hardening off process may 

 be materially facilitated. Do not go to the 

 extreme however in this respect, as the soil 

 should never be allowed to get thoroughly] 

 dried out before water is given again. 

 Extreme conditions of any kind are usually 

 very dangerous to plant life. In this 

 matter of giving less frequent waterings to 

 plants, it is quite as necessary to avoid ex- 

 treme dryness of the soil, as it would be to 

 avoid over-watering, while endeavouring 

 to induce a period of semi-dormancy or 

 partial rest. 



The variety of hydrangea mostly grown 

 in pots or tubs is the large pink flowering 

 " Otaksa." Another good variety of these 

 half-hardy hydrangeas is the white flower- 

 ing variety " Thomas Hogg." A good 

 specimen of this is seldom seen even at floral 

 exhibits, probably from the fact that it is 

 less robust than " Otaksa," and harder to 

 winter over successfully. It is a very pretty 

 variety, and makes a pleasing contrast to 

 the pink flowering one. 



OLEANDERS, POT ROSES, FUCHSIAS. 



ALL of these plants will bear a little 

 wholesome neglect at this time of the 

 year. That is, they may be left to take care 

 of themselves more than when in full 

 growth during the summer. They will not, 

 however, bear quite as severe treatment in 

 the matter of being frozen, or in the partial 

 witholding of water from the roots, as will 

 hydrangeas. As these plants, however, 

 have, in most instances, to be kept in a 

 semi-dormant or resting condition during 

 the winter, they will be benefitted very much 

 by being treated as recommended for the 

 hydrangeas, before being consigned finally 

 to their winter quarters. 



Canna roots should be dug up as soon as 

 the tops have been blackened by frost. Un- 

 less the autumn season is exceptionally fine 

 and warm and free from frost, canna roots 

 will be better dug up before the surface of 

 the ground has been touched by frost. If 

 it is impossible to dig them before sharp 

 frosts occur, cut the tops off to within about 

 four inches of the ground, and strew the 

 tops over the ground. A few inches in 

 depth of straw or long manure, or any 

 material to keep the frost from touching the 

 tubers, should also be thrown over them as 

 a temporary covering. After digging, 

 store the roots for a week or two in a shed 

 or out-building safe from rain and frost, 

 until the soil adhering to them has partially 

 dried out. Remove them to a warm room 

 or cellar where the temperature ranges 

 from about 40 to 50 degrees. A contin- 

 uously low temperature near the freezing 

 point will injure canna roots permanently, 

 even when dormant. 



Dahlia roots should be dug up before the 

 tubers are touched by frost, and treated as 

 recommended for cdnna roots, before being 

 stowed in the cellar. Dahlia roots will keep 

 better in a more moist cellar or room 

 than will canna roots. A temperature from 

 35 to 45 degrees will suit them better than 

 a higher temperature. Wherever potatoes 

 will keep in really good condition through 

 the winter, dahlia roots can be preserved. 

 A dark, cool cellar if not too dry, suits them 

 splendidly. If the cellar is very dry, as 

 many cellars are from having a furnace in 

 them, the roots of both dahlias and cannas 

 would be better preserved if some dry soil 

 or sand were to be placed around and about 

 the tubers. Enough of these materials to 

 barely cover the tubers would be sufficient. 



October is the great bulb-planting month, people are 

 As soon as your flowers are frozen prepare Try them : 

 the beds for bulbs. In some cold districts will grow.— 



afraid to plant them outside. 



they will grow where weeds 



-(N. S. Dunlop, Montreal, Que. 



