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Gardening for Amateurs 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 early in august 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



SOWING Hardy Annuals. Many of 

 the hardy annual flowers usually 

 sown in the spring and early summer 

 may also be sown at the present time 

 to make a display in the spring. Sow 

 thinly in drills which have been watered 

 previously, and thin out in good time 

 to allow the plants to become sturdy. 

 Transplant into the flowering quarters in 

 early spring ; a bright show will succeed, 

 and yet be over in time for summer 

 bedding arrangements. 



Planting Madonna Lilies. These well- 

 known Lilies need to be planted much earlier 

 than many popular varieties, and the present 

 time is suitable. These Lilies are very ac- 

 commodating as regards soil, but a well- 

 prepared site naturally gives the best 

 results. The botanical name is Lilium 

 candidum. 



Pruning Climbing Roses. The class of 

 Roses usually given the comprehensive title 

 of " Ramblers " are best pruned immediately 

 they have finished their flowering. The old 

 wood which has borne flowers should be dis- 

 pensed with as far as possible, the young 

 growths made this year being retained full 

 length. This allows the latter, which are 

 to produce next year's flowers, to become 

 nicely ripened by reason of the free admis- 

 sion of sun and air, otherwise ripening is 

 impossible. 



Budding Roses. When work of this 

 description is to be carried out now is a 

 suitable time, especially when dull weather 

 prevails after rain. Two cuts are made in 

 the bark of the stock in the shape of a T. 

 The buds are prepared by cutting them out 

 about 1 inch in length, the cut being made 

 half-way through the shoot, behind the bud. 

 The wood is slipped out, and the bud in- 

 serted in the stock by lifting the sides of 

 the bark. Tie in securely but not too 

 tightly, and shade from kot sun. A bud is 

 useless when a small hole is left after re- 

 moving the wood. 



Clipping Evergreens. Evergreens, such 

 as Laurel, Box, Holly, etc., should be clipped 

 now to ensure a tidy appearance throughout 

 the winter, since no growth will take place 

 after this date. Laurels and others having 

 large leaves are best operated on with 

 secateurs, to avoid cutting the leaves in 

 halves. 



Cuttings of Shrubs. Where it is desired 

 to increase the stock of shrubs, now is a good 

 time to give the matter attention. If a bed 

 of very sandy soil can be made up in a frame 

 this will be a very good way of rooting a 

 large number of " slips " ; if only a few 

 are needed use pots for the purpose. Remove 

 pieces of partly ripened growth with " heels " 

 attached, insert them firmly, and water well. 

 Shade and keep close for some little time. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 

 Propagating Hydrangeas. Early 



August is a good time to increase the stock 

 of Hydrangeas by taking cuttings. Take 

 off the tops of growths which have not 

 flowered this season, and, after preparing 

 them in the usual way. insert them round the 

 sides of 4-inch pots. After watering, place 

 them over gentle bottom heat to encourage 

 quicker rooting, although a fair percentage 

 will root slowly on the open staging. Shade 

 from bright sunshine, and when the cuttings 

 are well rooted pot them off into small pots, 

 in which they may stay for the winter. 



Roman Hyacinths. For the earliest dis- 

 play bulbs of Roman Hyacinths should be 

 potted at once. Pots 5 inches in diameter 

 are most useful ; or if the flowers are needed 

 solely for cutting, the bulbs may be placed 

 in pans or shallow boxes. In any case they 

 may be placed close together, and it will not 

 matter if the tips are visible above the soil. 

 Loam, leaf-soil, and sand, with the addition 

 of a little old manure placed over the crocks, 

 will form a suitable potting compost. Plunge 

 the pots in ashes until growth commences. 



Potting Calceolarias. The young Cal- 

 ceolaria plants should now be fit to be potted 



