346 AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTUKE. 



geraniums, penstemons, iresines, ageratums, verbenas, cineraria maritima, 

 good varieties of snapdragons, lobelias, &c., are amongst the desirable 

 things. Fine types of lobelia can usually be got by striking cuttings from 

 seedlings ; for they are very variable. Take up the layers of flowering 

 shrubs propagated last spring and establish them in pots ; they are 

 transplanted to their permanent quarters more readily that way. Look 

 over the shrubberies and any plants that are overcrowding their 

 neighbours, mark for transplanting, which operation can be done as soon 

 as the ground has had a thorough soaking. Early autumn is the best for 

 setting out, as the plants get established before the succeeding summer. 



Seasonable Seeds. Sow seeds of pansies, candytuft, campanula, 

 Virginian stocks, helichrysum, calendulas, silene, alyssum, nemophyla, 

 German stocks, ageratum, Phlox drummondii, gillias, double flowering 

 pyrethrums, dianthus, wallflowers, &c. 



BUSH-HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE. 



An Active Time. Rampant growth is the rule in the bush-house dur- 

 ing early autumn ; a chief trouble is to keep plants from rooting into the 

 soil ; as a preventive, place under each a saucer or a piece of slate. Pot- 

 grown pelargoniums should now be breaking finely ; it will be necessary 

 to shake them out, and after pruning back the roots, re-pot in good, fresh 

 soil. Fuchsias may be in their second flowering, and have some liquid 

 manure given them. In the frames, cinerarias, primulas, and calcolaria 

 should be ready for first potting. Cuttings may be made and treated in 

 the manner recommended for garden. Caladiums, very early started, may 

 show signs of rust, which should be cut out at once. Preparations for ensur- 

 ing a stock of coleus of the best descriptions by the cutting process should 

 not be delayed. 



In the greenhouse, orchids may be liable to scale insects at this time, 

 which must be attended to, as they will causa disease and death if allowed to 

 remain. (See Chap. xxm. ) Ferns and climbing plants should be carefully 

 attended to, as mealy bug may be prevalent. Gloxinias may go to rest as 

 they progress towards that period ; but some may be coming into flower, 

 and, therefore, should have stimulating treatment. On favourable oppor- 

 tunities, whitewash walls with quicklime, keep stages clean, and have the 

 temperature o regulated, as far as practicable, according to the weather, 

 a little warmer or cooler, that visits may be a pleasure. 



SEMI-TROPICAL OPERATIONS. 



Field Work. Cane has to be kept clean, and trashed in the early 

 districts, preparatory to crushing. Plant potatoes ; early rose, Brownell's 

 beauty, ruby, snowflake, and hundredfold are good sorts. Harvest corn 

 as soon as it is fit, and house it in dry barns. Sweet potatoes require a 

 final hoeing up. Some may be ready for lifting. (See Chap. ix. ) Sow for 

 lucerne, clover, prairie, rye, and cultivated grasses generally ; the practice 

 recommended for the cooler districts being suitable here also- This is 

 a good time for setting out buffalo grass, which is propagated from clumps 

 of the roots. Sow for wheat, the recommendations for the cooler districts 

 being suitable. Sorghum may be sown, and maize and millet to cut green 

 for feed. Sow for mangels. Tobacco should be ripening, and prepara- 

 tions are necessary for housing and curing the crop. Sow oats, barley, 

 tares, vetches, <fec. 



