384 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Fig. 1908. CoB^A Scandens, at Hamilton, Nov. 1899. 



The trite old saying "Better be sure than 

 sorry," should always be borne in mind and 

 acted upon by horticulturists at all times, 

 but more especially during- the uncertain and 

 changeable weather experienced during the 

 early autumn. 



The Greenhouse. — See that the heating 

 apparatus for this department is in good 

 working order before heavy frosts commence, 

 it might save your plants, and perhaps sev- 

 eral nights of worry and watchfulness later 

 on. 



The cutting bed should be ready to com- 

 mence propagating cuttings of geraniums, 

 coleus and all perennial bedding plants, 

 necessary to secure stock for next season's 

 use. Coleus, achyranthes and ageratum 

 cuttings more especially, should be secured 

 before even the slightest frost has touched 

 them, as it is very difficult to strike cuttings 

 of these, or of any other plants, after being 



exposed to cold, chilly weather. A tew old 

 plants of coleus and achyranthes may be 

 lifted carefully from the beds or borders be- 

 fore being touched by frost, and potted in 

 light loamy soil in four or five inch pots. 

 These can be stood down on the floor of the 

 greenhouse, where they will get a fair amount 

 of light and sunshine during the winter. If 

 watered carefully at the roots only, and plac- 

 ed where the drip from the bench does not 

 bother them, they will often give a good 

 supply of much needed cuttings during March 

 and April, when perhaps cuttings from fall 

 stock are hard to obtain. The third week 

 in September as a rule, is early enough to 

 take cuttings of geraniums, and the more 

 hardy varieties of bedding plants. 



Tender plants, such as stevias, abutilons, 

 poinsettias, eupatoriums, bouvardias, etc., 

 will require to be taken indoors before the 

 first early frost, the poinsettias being 



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