OCTOBER. 



707 



OCTOHIiR. 



glass, in order to render the plants as hardy 

 as possible, a condition which is highly 

 conducive to a safe passage through the 

 trials of winter. 



Pelargoniums. Plants that have been 

 removed from beds and borders, and 

 potted, should be plunged in mild bottom 

 heat on a gentle hotbed to start them into 

 growth. The plants themselves must have 

 plenty of air on mild days and be kept 

 cool. 



Plants in Frames, Management of. All 

 such plants as auriculas, polyanthuses, 

 pansies, carnations, pinks, picotees, violets, 

 lilies of the valley, mignonette, hyacinths, 

 and all flowers intended to bloom in pots, 

 are put under glass, rather to preserve 

 them from injury by wind, rain, and frost, 

 than to stimulate them into activity and 

 srowth. They must have air whenever it 

 is possible to give it to them. 



2. FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. Cu- 

 cumbers^ &c. The instructions that have 

 already been given for growing cucumbers 

 and melons in succession in preceding 

 months, apply equally here, and need not 

 be repeated. As already said, hotbeds 

 may be made, seed sown, and plants raised 

 and carried on to fruiting at any period of 

 the year, but more care is requisite to 

 maintain the heat in winter than in summer. 



Melons. With reference to these it may- 

 be said that a second or third crop may 

 occasionally be well ripened during this 

 month. If in pits, renew linings, &c., to 

 maintain a brisk heat ; if in houses, keep 

 the fires moving to secure a bottom heat of 

 80, and a surface one of 70. Beware of 

 watering to excess, as less can be thrown off 

 by the leaves now than earlier in the season ; 

 consequently more must be absorbed by the 

 fruit, which is apt to burst, and often be- 

 comes insipid in consequence. With care 

 ^pon this point, melons may often be 

 rpened as successfully in October as in 

 A u^ust. 



October. Hothouse and Forc- 

 ing Pit, Work in. 



Forcing Pit, Work in, 6r. Introduce 

 into the pit the first batch of rhododendrons, 

 kalmias, Ghent and Indian azaleas, &c. ; 

 also some tea and hybrid perpetual roses, 

 and early-flowering and sweet-scented ger- 

 aniums, white and Anne Boleyn pinks, 

 tree carnations, and lily of the valley ; also 

 Salvia Gesneraflora> late gesneras, and 

 Euphorbia splendent. 



Btilbs, <SrY., in Forcing Pits. Towards 

 the end of the month, some hyacinths, 

 tulips, &c., potted towards the end of Sep- 

 tember, should now be pushed forward in 

 this structure. Procure, and pot forthwith, 

 the whole stock of hyacinths, crocuses, 

 narcissuses, tulips, jonquils, and other 

 hardy bulbs. 



Climbers. Climbers on roofs and all 

 artificial shade must be gradually and finally 

 removed during the month. From this 

 time to the middle of January the utmost 

 of solar lignt obtained in our climate is all 

 too little for the natives of tropical climes 

 that generally find a home in our plant 

 stovei 



Insects, Expulsion of Now is the great 

 cleaning season ; every scale, bug, earwig, 

 cricket, &c. , must now be ferreted out and 

 destroyed, if the house has not already been 

 thoroughly cleaned. 



Orchids. The remarks that have been 

 made with regard to the temperature to be 

 maintained and the admission of air are 

 equally applicable to the cultivation of 

 orchids ; they even apply with double force 

 to them, for, as most of these will now be 

 comparatively dormant, the orchid house 

 may often remain for a month without 

 fresh air with impunity. The great points 

 are a dry atmosphere and a comparatively 

 low temperature from 65 to 70 and 

 the maintenance of all in a dormant state. 



Temperature. During cold nights a 

 temperature of 60 will be sufficient, rising 



