August 



more care to carry them through the winter than plants raised earlier 

 in the year. 



Hyacinths, Italian and Roman. Obtain the bulbs as early 

 as possible, and pot them promptly. Place them in any spare corner 

 of the open ground, where they can be covered with cocoa-nut fibre 

 or ashes until the roots are formed. A child may grow these flowers ; 

 and as the bulbs are cheap, they should be largely employed for 

 indoor decoration during the dark winter days, as well as for 

 bouquets. 



Mignonette. For winter flowering sow in 48- or 32-sized pots, 

 filled with light rich soil. Put the seed in little groups, thin. to 

 three or five plants in each pot, and give them the benefit of full 

 daylight close to the glass. When flowering commences do not 

 allow seed to form. If the spikes which have passed the heyday 

 of perfection are cut off, the plants will break again and flower a 

 second time. 



Narcissi. The first potting of early varieties is made this month 

 as early as the bulbs can be obtained. 



Pelargonium. The remarks under Geranium apply with equal 

 force to this flower also. 



Picotee. Follow the instructions given for Carnation. 



Schizanthus. To do full justice to this flower seed should be 

 sown now for plants to be kept through the winter in any house 

 which is sufficiently warm to exclude frost. 



Scilla praecox, or sibirica, is quite hardy, and the treatment 

 which suits Roman Hyacinths will answer for this bulb. The two 

 form an admirable harmony in blue and white. 



Silene. All the most useful varieties of Catchfly are hardy 

 against cold, but not entirely so against damp. They possess a 

 special value for their sparkling appearance in spring. Sow in light 

 sandy soil, in which they will pass the winter safely. On a heavy loam 

 the transplanting system must be resorted to in February or March. 



Stock, Brompton. A bed prepared under trees or shrubs 

 will afford some shelter from winter frost. Make it thoroughly rich, 

 and in it plant the seedlings. Should the growth be very rapid in 

 September, the plants will probably become too succulent to endure 

 the stress of winter. If so, lift them and plant again on the same spot. 



Stock, Intermediate, is principally grown for indoor decoration 

 in spring. No artificial heat is necessary to raise the seed ; in fact, 

 it is not wise to employ it. Either in this month or early in Sep- 

 tember sow the required number of pots and plunge them in ashes 



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