SEPTEMBER. 447 



Now is the time to prepare ground for planting the present autumn ; by 

 trenching early the soil becomes settled and firm, and trees succeed better 

 than if set out immediately upon the finishing of such work. 



Grape Vines in cold houses will now be ripening oflT their crop ; dis- 

 continue damping the house, and air freely and abundantly in fine weather ; 

 stop all laterals when too crowded, but otherwise allow them to ramble 

 freely. Newly planted houses should be kept warmer, and liberally damped 

 in fine weather. 



Strawberry Beds now planted will succeed admirably, and produce 

 some fruit another year. Old beds should be thoroughly cleaned of all 

 weeds. 



Peaches should be budded this month. Trees in pots, which have borne 

 fruit, should be well watered to mature their growth and fill up their buds. 



Fruit Trees. Now is a good time to thin out small and useless wood 

 fi-om pyramidal trees ; it will aid also in ripening their fruit buds. 



Figs in pots, now bearing their second crop, should be well watered. 



Fruit should be looked after and gathered in due season. All Septem- 

 ber pears should be picked a week or two before they are wanted for the 

 table. 



FLOWER department. 



With September commences again the more active labors of the gardener. 

 Winter is approaching, and it is better to have everything done in good sea- 

 son than to delay till cold and frost have injured many of the plants. Where 

 there is a great deal of potting to do it should be commenced early, for 

 with the aid of a frame the plants become sooner established in their pots, 

 and suflfer less than later in the season when they must be taken directly to 

 their winter quarters. 



Ground should now be prepared for spring bulbs if new beds are to be 

 made, and also for herbaceous plants if they are to be reset ; the autumn is 

 the best time to remove them. Soils should be collected, and prepared for 

 the winter, that all such work may not crowd when other things require 

 attention. 



Camellias should now be exposed to the light and air, if they have been 

 summered under the shade of trees ; it will ripen the wood and mature 

 the buds ; wash the foliage and clean the pots preparatory to removing to 

 the house, which usually is done before the end of the month. 



Azaleas should have the same care as Camellias. Water more spar- 

 ingly as cool weather approaches. 



Pelargoniums should have the shelter of a frame soon, where they may 

 be kept as long as possible, as they do better than when removed to the 

 greenhouse. 



OxALis of all kinds should now be potted. 



Chrysanthemums now growing freely should be abundantly watered, 

 using liquid manure occasionally. Remove to the house before heavy 

 frosts. 



