206 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



as the buds develop they can be applied with safety almost every 

 day. The feeding should continue until the blooms are two- 

 thirds expanded, after which it is advisable gradually to cease 

 their application. An occasional watering with clear water, 

 alternating with the liquid manure, is advisable so that the air 

 passage in the soil may be kept clear. 



As soon as the flower-buds begin to colour, the cultivator must 

 begin to bestir himself so that his plants can be safely housed 

 under glass. It is better to be too early than too late with this 

 operation, and therefore it behoves him to get his house in order 

 so that it may be prepared to receive its autumn guests. 



The middle of September will not be too early to place the earliest 

 varieties under the protection of glass, since if buds that have 

 developed sufficiently to show their petals be left to the mercy 

 of rain and dew they are more than likely to damp and fall off. 

 When housing the plants see that they are free from mildew and 

 insect pests. Give them a thorough syringing with mildew wash 

 an excellent preparation is a wineglassful of paraffin mixed 

 with a gallon of rain water and remove all traces of rust by 

 dusting the leaves with flowers of sulphur or spraying with a 

 solution of half-an-ounce of sulphide of potassium in a gallon 

 of water. 



Great care will now be needed to bring the flowers to perfection. 

 At the first indication of frost, fire heat will be required so as to 

 maintain a free circulation of warm, dry air. No attempt at 

 forcing should be made. A minimum temperature of 50 will 

 be amply sufficient. 



Watering and feeding with artificial manure must be attended 

 to carefully, and a considerable amount of discretion be called into 

 play. Watering will not be necessary every day : it will only be 

 required when the soil approaches a state of dryness. It should 

 then be supplied in generous quantities, and an interval of a few 

 days be allowed to go by before it is given again. Great care will 

 have to be taken to avoid spilling the water about on the floor of 

 the house, especially late in the day, since this leads to " damping," 

 and inevitable injury is thus done to the plants. Another pre- 



