342 AUSTRALIAN AGRICULT'JKK. 



Layering. Choice roses and flowering shrubs may be layered, and a 

 little mulch, and an occasional watering will prompt them to- 

 make roots the sooner. 



Bulbs. Set out gladioli, dahlias, tube-roses, and trigardias for suc- 

 cessional blooming. The earlier dahlias and gladioli require staking, and 

 liquid manure is helpful where the growth is not vigorous enough. 



Ferns. Cut out all the rusty fronds ; give shade, part of the day ab 

 least, and water freely where there is vigorous growth. 



Annuals. They are getting out of season, although developed seedlings 

 may be set out. Balsams, zinnias, portulacas, amaranths, and sunflowers 

 are safe and hardy enough. To raise others, they must be sown in pots 

 either in the bush-house or in some shady, sheltered corner. 



Edgings of alternanthera may be planted in moist weather. Hedges 

 may be clipped and kept trim as required. 



BUSH-HOUSE. 



How Helpful It Is ! When dry spells occur at this season, the bush 

 house is an effective help and a safe attraction in the garden. With shade 

 and protection from winds, and just a little water, so much can bo lone. 



Shade. But we must avoid overdoing the shade, and particularly 

 avoid any living shade over the growing plants. It is death to all flowering 

 and ornamental favourites except ferns. 



Things Coming On. Cinerarias, fuchsias, primulas, gloxinias, 

 achimenes, and tydeas may require regular looking to, or they will be 

 quickly overrun and destroyed by vermin. 



Water Treatment. As orchids cease blooming, they need less water. 

 All flowering plants may be the better of weak liquid manure applied to 

 them at intervals of three or four days. Choice ferns may still be trans- 

 planted and put into suitable places, always seeing that the soil is light, 

 open, and well drained where they are to grow. Stag horn, bird's nest, 

 and elk horn ferns should be freely supplied with water to keep them 

 luxuriant. 



Coleuses should be amongst the attractions, and need attention to keep 

 the bush-house gay. They can be either raised from seed or propagated 

 from cuttings all through the season. Well trained balsams in pots, 

 pelargoniums, &c. , will help to make this retreat attractive ; also good 

 cockscombs. 



Propagating from Leaf. Foliage begonias strike readily from leaves 

 during this time. Lay them flat on a damp, loose surface, just pressing 

 them into the soil ; then shade, and the leaves may send down roots in a 

 few days. It is late enough to pot ferns, but if this has not already been 

 done do it at once. 



Enemies. Fumigation with sulphur or tobacco smoke is effective if 

 they can be shut in with it closely under a frame ; but not without. Some 

 spray or wash is the next best treatment. 



IN THE WARM SECTIONS. 



Field Work. Cane harvesting and sugar making are in full blast now, 

 and while the work is on they act wisely who each season root out all 

 diseased or feeble stools of cane, and plant strong, vigorous sets of reliable 

 sorts, using body cane where possible. 



