THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



22S 



re-potted into pots a size or two larger. 

 About one-third of the old soil can be 

 shaken from the roots. Light soil of 

 equal parts bush or leaf soil, potting 

 soil, and sand, with plenty of drainage, 

 suits these plants very well. Avoid too 



about the last of September or early in 

 October. The common method of prop- 

 agation is by division. By all means 

 plant peonies. They have so long had 

 a place in the garden, that the amateur 

 flower-lover would be lost without them. 



A Youthful Poppy Fancier 



frequent waterings for a few weeks after 

 re-potting. Start these begonias into 

 growth in an east window in a tempera- 

 ture of about 65 degrees. 



PLANT PERENNIALS IN AUTUMN 



Most perennials that start early in 

 the spring can be planted in the autumn. 



Phlox, golden glow, bleeding heart, Ger- 

 man iris and many more, also, do better 

 when divided and planted in the fall. 

 Buy extra plants from the nurseries. 

 By planting now, they will become well 

 rooted and accustomed to the change 

 before winter sets in. 



WATERING HOUSE PLANTS 



A good way to water plants, accord- 

 ing to an experienced florist, is to im- 

 merse the pot in water, letting it rise 

 an inch or two above the top of the pot. 

 When the bubbles cease to rise it is a 

 sign that not a dry spot is left in the 

 earth. The fault with the ordinary 

 method of watering is said to be that 

 the water does not thoroughly penetrate 

 the earth, the roots remaining dry, 

 while the top is moist. The plants 

 should be watered onlv when thev seem 

 dry. 



MISCELLANEOUS HINTS 



Seeds of sweet alyssum may be started 

 in pots or boxes in September or October. 

 Dig up a few plants of petunia and 

 phlox and plant in boxes or pots. There 

 is always a place for the bloom in the 

 winter window-garden. 



Gather and save seeds from the flower 

 border and beds. It is well worth the 

 trouble to have a few varieties of seed, 

 selected by yourself, for sowing next 

 spring. Dry the seeds slowly for a few 

 days, then store in a cool, dry place. 



The best time to prepare the ground 

 for a new lawn is during the fall before. 

 Begin now. Plow or dig deeply and 

 evenly. Drain, if necessary. By doing 

 this now, the ground can settle before 

 spring. Then, any irregularities in the 

 surface may be detected and levelled. 



Don't cultivate young trees or apply 

 manure this month. Such practices en- 

 courage growth, which may be unable 

 to withstand the cold of winter. 



OrcHid Grooving for A.mateurs 



DURING the last few years no plant 

 has risen more rapidly in the 

 esteem of the public than has the 

 orchid. No society function is consider- 

 ed complete without a display of orchids, 

 or at least a few of them interspersed 

 with other plants and flowers. The 

 average amateur considers these plants 

 too difficult to grow and as a consequence 

 the supply in Canada has been meagre. 

 However, the success attained by a 

 few orchid enthusiasts and the high 

 prices secured have caused others to 

 begin their culture and a few vears more 

 is likely to find them more plentiful. 



Chief among Toronto orchid enthusi- 

 asts is Mr. Wm. Hill, of Yonge Street. 

 In a small greenhouse, he has a collection 

 of some 50 varieties, including Cattleya, 

 Lselia, Oncidium, Dendrobium, Epidcnd- 

 rum, Coelogyne, Cypripedium and Cym- 

 bidium. Mr. Hill began orchid culture 

 about seven years ago, not as a com- 

 mercial venture but merely because he 

 loved the work. His present collection 

 shows what success has attended his 

 efforts. 



An Orchid Seed Pod 



Cattleya orchids seldom go to seed in Canadian greenhouses, 

 of Cattleya labiata formed last fall in the house of Mr. W. Hill, 

 be ready to sow this fall. 



This illustration shows a seed pod 

 Toronto, The seed will ripen and 



