SEPTEMBER. 439 



l^orticullunil 4)ptnilions 



FOR SEPTEMBER. 

 FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



August has been an exceedingly wet month, about twelve inches of rain 

 having fallen, being nearly one third of the average quantity of the year, or 

 three months' rain in one. It was, however, greatly needed, and has thor- 

 oughly soaked the ground, which has not been well wet at this period of 

 the summer for three years. August has also been very cool, with quite a 

 heavy frost back in the country, cutting down the potatoes, &c. Probably 

 September and October will be warm and dry. 



Grape Vines in cold houses will now be ripening off their crop; keep 

 the laterals shortened in, but not too close, and air the house freely, both 

 day and night, in good weather. It is the only way to get a good color. 

 Discontinue damping the house. The early houses are now nearly at rest, 

 and require very little care. Vines in the open air should be pruned just* 

 enough to keep them in order ; on no account remove the leaves and wood 

 so as to expose the fruit to the sun. 



Strawberry Beds may be planted all this month. Prepare the ground 

 immediately. Old beds should be kept clear of weeds, and where the 

 runners are too thick they should be cut away. Plants may now be potted 

 for forcing. 



Fruit Trees in pots should be looked after; nip off the ends of all 

 strong-growing shoots, in order to make compact bushy trees. 



Fruit Trees, budded last month, should be looked after; the late 

 rains may start the buds, or swell the stocks so much that the ties may 

 need loosening. 



Gathering Fruit will now require much time where there are many 

 trees ; attend to it in season, and not allow the early autumn pears to hang 

 too long on the trees. 



FLOWER department. 



With the close of September come cool and often frosty nights, which nip 

 some of the more tender plants ; that this may not happen, the industrious 

 gardener should begin to prepare in season, and not wait till the last mo- 

 ment. Have all the houses put in order immediately. Give a thorough 

 cleaning, especially if there are mealy bugs, and have the pots washed pre- 

 paratory to removing everything inside. Many plants should be taken in 

 by the middle of the month, while others may remain out till frost comes. 

 Prepare frames for the reception of small plants, where they flourish better 

 than when crowded in among the larger ones. See that the plants are 

 free from all insects before they are removed to the houses. 



Camellias should be very freely watered now, as any neglect will cause 

 the buds to drop. Syringe the plants every day in fine weather. Top dress 

 such as need it. 



Cinerarias should now have attention. Pot off seedlings sown last 

 month, and repot the young stock of choice varieties, placing all in a frame 

 where they can be protected in damp or cool weather. Fumigate if the 

 green fly appears. 



