SEPTEMBER. 



688 



SEPTEMBER. 



August. Shrubbery, <fec., Work 

 in. 



Borders and Shrubberies. Flower bor- 

 ders and shrubberies now require the most 

 vigilant attention; the borders should be 

 gone over with the hoe and rake; all 

 weeds being raked off, and straggling 

 shoots either removed, shortened, or tied 

 down, and dead footstalks and flowers re- 

 moved. In shrubberies prune off all exu- 

 berant branches, keeping up a dwarf and 

 full foliage, and watering where required. 



Grass and Gravel Walks. Roll lawns 

 well, and meet the rapid growth by fre- 

 quent mowing. Grass walks and lawns 

 require mowing once a week or fortnight, 

 according to its growth, keeping it short, 

 thick, and even, and choosing dewy morn- 

 ings for the operation. Grass walks should 

 be rolled and kept clean, and free from 

 weeds. Gravel walks will likewise require 

 frequent rolling, and surface weeding, in 

 shady places especially, will be required. 



SEPTEMBER. 



Aspect and Character of 

 Month. 



reduction of temperature begins to be felt 

 this month, less, however, by night than 

 by day, the mean temperature of the air 

 at the surface of the ground being 66 '14 ; 

 at one foot below the surface, 57 "54; and 

 at two feet, 57*89 ; being, from this month 

 till April, warmer at two feet than at one 

 foot. The average fall of rain is also 

 increased considerably, falling more in the 

 night than in the day. 



September. Conservatory, 

 Work in. 



Climbers. During this month the 

 climbers on the roof must be gradually 

 thinned, and the shading partially with- 

 drawn, to allow the wood of both perma- 



nent and temporary occupants of the house 

 to ripen well. Much of next season's suc- 

 cess depends upon this. Well-ripened 

 wood wHl also enable plants to pass 

 through the winter better, and to bear a 

 greater amount of cold with impunity. 



Ventilation, <SrV. For several months 

 past the great difficulty in the conser- 

 vatory has been that of selection of 

 plants. Azaleas, geraniums, fuchsias, bal- 



sams, globe amaranths, achimenes, lili- 

 ums, gloxinias, begonias, &c., &c., have 

 been jostling each other for the best place ; 

 each form and type of beauty has been 

 striving by turns for supremacy, and it has 

 been unfolded so copiously and rapidly 

 that the great difficulty has been to bring 

 it all into direct proximity with the eye in 

 this house, devoted to the conservation and 

 exhibition of floral loveliness. For the 

 former purpose it can hardly be kept too 

 cool at this season, omitting, however, all 

 draughts upon stove plants ; and, for the 

 latter, tasteful arrangement is the most 

 important point. Too many beautiful 

 things crammed together without order or 

 system are never so satisfying as a very 

 few disposed to the best advantage. Good 

 specimens must also have plenty of space 

 if they are to continue good. Overcrowding 

 is too often a mistake in conservatories. 



Watering, To most plants, except 

 balsams, and fuchsias in small pots, liquid 

 manure must now be given sparingly, if at 

 all. The object now is not rapid growth, 

 but abundance of flowers and matured 

 wood ; therefore, even pure water must 

 be given as sparingly as is consistent with 

 good health. In dull weather, sprinkling 

 of paths, and other summer expedients to 

 maintain a humid atmosphere, should also 

 be abandoned. Perfect cleanliness will of 

 course be maintained, as beauty and dirt 

 are not only irreconcilable, but the latter 

 neutralises and destroys the influence of 

 the former. 



