HoTticultural Operations for September. 431 



very rapid growth, and they must be looked after immediately. It is a 

 bad plan to neglect the garden in the fall, as is too often the case, and 

 allow the overgrown weeds to sow a full crop of seeds for another year. 



Grape vines will now be at rest, and need but little attention: keep 

 down the new growth of laterals, and air liberally, in all good weather, to 

 ripen the wood. Vines in cold houses will now require considerable care 

 in order to get high-flavored fruit : dispense with watering, as the grapes 

 attain to maturity, and give an abundance of air. Vines in the open ground 

 will only need to have their new wood properly nailed in, and the laterals 

 stopped. 



Strawberry beds may be made now, after the fine rains, with the best 

 success. Prepare the ground properly, as we have already advised, and 

 immediately set out the plants. 



Peach trees should be budded this month. 



Cherry and Plum trees, budded in July or August, will need looking 

 after, as the ties often girdle the trees. 



Summer Pruning should still be kept up, by checking the second growth, 

 where they have started from shoots nipped off in July. Tie up the branches 

 of trees overloaded, or, what is better, gather the fruit, much of Avhich will 

 ripen well in the house, and thus benefit that which is left. 



Currant bushes may be safely transplanted the last of the month. 



flower department. 



As cooler and frosty nights will soon be along, much attention will be 

 required this month to prepare most of the collection for the winter. Great 

 numbers of showy plants, bedded out, must be taken up and potted ; and as 

 this is done with much greater benefit to the plants in a frame, it is well 

 enough to have a small hotbed made, to keep them close for a few days af- 

 ter being potted. Scarlet geraniums, heliotropes, lantanas, and similar 

 things, will make far better looking plants with this little extra care. 



Heaths, camellias, daphnes, and, indeed, all hard-wooded plants which 

 have been kept in a constant shade, will ripen their wood better if removed, 

 for the time before taking them in, to a sunny spot. Soft-wooded plants, 

 such as heliotropes, petunias, justicias, linums, &c., should be hardened off 

 in this way, or they will be long and lean specimens all winter. 



Camellias will require to be taken into their winter quarters about the 

 25th of the month, and previously they should all be syringed thoroughly, 

 the pots washed, and the plants neatly staked up. Continue to give good 

 supplies of water, with frequent syringings. Cuttings may be put in now, 

 and grafting still performed. Fresh seeds may also be planted. 



Chrysanthemums will now require to have a vigorous root action kept 

 up, or else imperfect buds will be formed. Water occasionally with guano, 

 or liquid manure, and syringe frequently over the foliage. Stake up every 

 plant. They must all be taken into the house, or sheltered from a temper- 

 ature much below freezing : a light frost will not hurt them, but a heavy 

 one is apt to destroy the beauty of the bloom. 



Pelargoniums. The old plants should now be repotted : shake off as 

 much as possible of the old ball, and repot in good light turfy compost. 



