GA RDENING BY M YSELF. j 5 j 



there is good hope that your pet will begin 

 to grow again. But I am rarely troubled 

 with the blue aphis. If ever another case 

 comes to my hands, I shall try washing off 

 the roots with whale-oil soap-suds. 



It is time, even now in August, to begin 

 to think of winter flowers for the house, — 

 deciding what we have room for, and what 

 we want. Some are to be raised from seed, 

 and some from cuttings, and others are to 

 be pruned or repotted or taken up. It is 

 too early of course for the general taking 

 up of tender plants. Let them enjo}^ their 

 freedom while they can, and make the most 

 of out-door advantages for a month to come. 

 But in seasons of dry weather, which do 

 come now and then, I have tried a very suc- 

 cessful plan with certain plants that have 

 rather given way to the season, — neither 

 making much show nor holding forth any 

 hope of it. They are just living along till 

 better times, with roots all quiet and tops 

 that make no growth. Now in this slum- 

 berous state a plant will feel removal much 

 H 



