592 PROPAGATOR'S CALENDAR. 



Pachyphytum bracteosum, or other succulents bearing flower-spikes outside, 

 may be carefully lifted, potted, and removed to an airy and sunny green- 

 house or pit to ripen their seeds. Seeds sown as soon as ripe germinate 

 freely, and make nice little plants for bedding out the following May or 

 June : Echeverias, Sempervivums, and Pachyphytons may be raised by the 

 thousand in this manner. Of course, if one or two plants only are required, 

 leaf-cuttings or offshoots give quicker results ; but for raising a large stock, 

 sow seeds as soon as ever they are ripe in the autumn on a gentle bottom- 

 heat, and place them in a warm and airy temperature near the light after 

 germination has taken place. Watch for and gather the seeds of all rare, 

 choice, and desirable plants as they ripen. Many perennials which have 

 finished flowering may be increased by cuttings or division. Plant cuttings 

 of Laurel, choosing the middle-sized shoots of the present year's growth, 

 cutting them a foot or more in length, and insert in a cool shady border. 

 Such shrubs as Alaternus, Phillyrea, Laurestinus, Spiraea, Aucubas, Mag- 

 nolias, &c. , may now be layered, and branches so treated will be rooted 

 and fit for planting out next autumn. Save the kernels or stones of Plums, 

 Apricots, Cherries, &c., for sowing for stocks. Plant cuttings of Honey- 

 suckles, Roses, Lilacs, and herbaceous plants. 



Plant and Fruit Houses. Propagate Chinese Primulas from cuttings, 

 and sow the seeds of Aphelandra a^trant^aca Rcezlii as they ripen. Cut- 

 tings of New Holland plants may now be made in a gentle heat. Spawn 

 Mushroom beds made up last month when at a temperature of 60 to 70. 

 Both greenhouse and stove plants may still be increased by cuttings, layers, 

 division, or seed. Watch ripening seeds on stove and greenhouse plants 

 generally, and especially those which are the result of crossing or hybridisa- 

 tion. Sow Lily seeds in a temperature of 50 to 60, boxes being prefer- 

 able to pots or pans. The seeds of some Lilies, such as L. tenuifolium and 

 L. Thunbergianuni) germinate very quickly that is to say, in a few weeks 

 and the plants flower in three or four years after the seed is sown. Others, 

 however, such as L. giganleum, L. cordifolium, L. auratutn, &c. , require 

 a year or even two years in which to germinate. The latter are plants of 

 large size, and produce bigger bulbs, and only push up the seed-leaf the 

 first year ; while those belonging to the L. Tkunbergianum and L. tenui- 

 folium group produce stems bearing three or four or even more leaves the 

 first season. 



OCTOBER. 



Kitchen and Hardy-Fruit Garden. Sow Parsnips in the open ground, 

 and Horn Carrots in frames, together with Mustard and Cress for Salads. 

 Gooseberry and Currant cuttings may now be put in on a north border, 

 selecting good strong shoots. A few turnips may be sown on a warm 

 border, as also may Prickly Spinach. Sow Lettuce in frames for salad. 

 Gather Asparagus seed, which should be at once sown unless required for 

 other purposes. See about hillock-layering Plums, Paradise, Doucin, 

 Quince, Pear, and other fruit-tree stocks, and look after stones and seeds 

 of Crabs, Apples, Pears, &c., for sowing where required. Many kitchen- 

 garden seeds will now be ripe, and should be gathered carefully in dry 

 sunny weather, and hung in a dry airy room or loft. Those not perfectly 

 ripe, but nearly so, should be cut, leaving a portion of the old flower-stern 

 attached, after which hang them under cover. 



Flower-Garden and Shrubbery. Propagate Calceolarias and Gazanias, 

 if not done already. Obtain and plant Wild-briers for Rose stocks. 



