14 THE HOME FLORIST. 



evening of the day, leaving a depression in the soil around each plant, which should be filled 

 with water and allowed to settle away until the soil is thoroughly saturated. Next morning 

 the earth should be drawn in, to prevent the wet soil from baking. 



Slimmer Culture. In summer the earth between the plants should be frequently 

 stirred, after each rain at least. Some things, like Double Geraniums and Carnations, it is well 

 to mulch with straw. Beds are better if calculated so that flowers or plants can be reached 

 without treading on the ground. 



The flowering season of many things, like Verbenas, Geraniums and Dahlias, may be 

 lengthened, almost every autumn, by covering the plants with mats, etc., on cool nights to 

 protect from the first September frosts. After some quite sharp frosts the weather usually comes 

 off warm and pleasant for some time yet, and it is well to have the benefit of this on the plants. 



Preparatory Treatment of Plants designed for Winter Flowering. 



It should be borne in mind that in winter the natural conditions of heat, sunlight, and the 

 lessened length of daylight, are adverse to the profuse growth of vegetation, and particularly 

 the production of flower buds ; for this reason, it is of the greatest importance in plant culture, 

 at this season, either in the dwelling or conservatory, to have, at the outset, good plants of 

 strong vitality. When plants pass into the winter quarters in a weakened condition, from any 

 cause, they will be apt to remain weak all winter. The best way of securing plants for winter 

 flowering, especially rapid growing kinds, is to start with young plants the spring previous, and 

 prepare them for this purpose during the summer, by giving them a favorable opportunity for 

 making a healthy growth in the open air, either in pots plunged to their rims in soil, refuse 

 hops or other material, or by being bedded out, and during this time, and until within a month 

 or two of cold weather, practice a system of heading them in to cause a compact stocky growth, 

 and also to prevent the exhaustion of plant force by flowering, which, if allowed, would be 

 detrimental to the crop in winter. For special r^narks on the culture of all suitable varieties, 

 see the directions accompanying each kind. 



The plants that were bedded during summer, such as Carnations, Violets, etc., should be 

 taken up and potted as early as the first two weeks of September, in order that they may fully 

 recover from the effects of the operation before cold weather sets in. With plants grown for 

 the beauty of their foliage, it is needless to adopt this course of summer treatment, further than 

 to have them healthy and of fine form, whether they be large or small. Some small pots, con- 

 taining pretty plants, placed among the larger ones of a collection will enhance appearances 

 greatly. In the fall avoid taking plants into their winter quarters too soon, but gradually inure 

 them to the confined air of the room or bay window, by keeping them inside during cold nights 

 or cool weather, allowing them to be fully exposed to the air in partial shade, as under the 

 piazza, or at the side of the house, during fine weather. In the case of having a conservatory 

 for the plants they may be placed in it at once, but an abundance of air should be allowed to 

 circulate through the structure at all times when the temperature will allow. The plants grown 

 in pots should receive their final shift into the pots or boxes they are to occupy during winter, in 

 September or October. We find that a soil made of two or three parts of decomposed turf and 

 one part of well rotted stable manure, with the addition of a little clean sand, is suited to nearly 

 every plant grown, and is better than "chip ground," so commonly used. 



Watering Plants, the Lawn, etc., in Summer. Whenever it becomes neces- 

 sary to resort to watering in dry weather, it is- much better to apply sufficient water to thoroughly 

 soak the soil while about it, than to apply a small quantity day by day, a custom very prevalent 

 among cultivators. When about to water plants first draw the soil away from the base of the 

 stalk in order to form a sort of basin in which to pour the water ; fill this up and let it settle 

 away repeatedly until a sufficiency has been applied, then draw the earth again to the plant, 

 which will prevent the soil from becoming baked by the sun. A thorough watering in this 

 manner ought to last for several weeks in the driest time of summer. When entire beds are to 

 be watered the soil should be opened by thrusting a digging-fork into it in numerous places 

 before sprinkling ; then the beds should be passed over again and again with the pot and sprink- 

 ler until a sufficiency has been absorbed. The next day the surface of the bed should be mel- 

 lowed up with the rake or hoe. 



This rule of thoroughly watering each time water is needed, and then not again until it is 

 really necessary, applies quite as well to watering plants in pots at all seasons of the year, either 

 out of doors or in the house and conservatory, as in the open ground. Do not over- water pot 

 plants, however, as it is contrary to the nature of the generality of plants to thrive in soil in 

 such a condition. 



Autumn Planting of Hyacinths, Tulips and other Hardy Bulbs. 

 Were the Bulbs which are' known as Hardy or Dutch Bulbs grown by planting in the spring 

 time of the year with the Gladiolus, Tigriclia, etc., their culture would be more common, and 

 collections of the choicer varieties, such as are conspicuous for their beauty and grandeur, would 

 be less rare. Planting at the approach of winter is rather contrary to the general rule of garden 

 management, and we are inclined to neglect this only means for securing the flowering of 

 Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocus, etc., early the following spring, or for improving the collections 

 that may be growing in our gardens, which consist far too often of inferior varieties, considering 

 the trifling outlay which is necessary for obtaining a better quality of stock. 



