Gardening for Amateurs 



555 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 late in August 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



VIOLA Cuttings. Now is a good 

 time to insert cuttings of Violas and 

 Pansies for the production of strong 

 plants by the folloAving March, when they 

 are planted in beds and borders. For small 

 numbers of cuttings prepare boxes of sandy 

 soil, but where numerous plants are required 

 a frame proves more suitable. Cuttings 

 cannot be put in properly when the soil is 

 either too wet or too dry ; the " happy 

 medium " is best. Shade the cuttings and 

 keep the frame closed for a few weeks. 

 The short growths without bloom found 

 at the base of the plants make the best 

 cuttings. 



Lavender. After the flowers of Lavender 

 are over, or where they have been cut, it is 

 a good plan to clip the bushes so that they 

 have a tidy appearance. In the case of low 

 Lavender hedges fairly hard cutting may be 

 practised. If treated thus annually, Laven- 

 der cannot get into that untidy condition 

 which often makes the bushes an eyesore in 

 the garden. 



Propagating Geraniums. A commence- 

 ment should now be made in securing the 

 cuttings that will provide bedding plants for 

 next season. Propagation may continue 

 through September, but should wet weather 

 set in the growths are likely to become sappy, 

 and in consequence rooting is more difficult. 

 With care there should be hardly any apparent 

 indication that the plants have been cut. 

 Select firm short- jointed growths, and after 

 trimming them insert firmly in boxes of 

 sandy soil, and stand on ashes in a sunny 

 position outdoors. If hot, sunny weather 

 prevails, light shading will be advantageous 

 for a few days. 



Pentstemons. These plants arc useful 

 in all gardens, being suitable for cutting 

 apart from the bright display they make 

 in the borders. Young plants for putting 

 out in the spring are obtained from cuttings 

 taken during early autumn. Select shoots 

 without buds, and cut Just below a joint, so 



that they are about 3 inches long. Remove 

 the lower leaves, insert the cuttings in pots, 

 boxes, or beds of sandy soil in cold frames, 

 and water them in well. 



General Work. The flower garden at 

 this period ought to be very gay and attrac- 

 tive, and everything possible should be done 

 to maintain its neat appearance. Cut lawns 

 and trim grass edges regularly. Plants that 

 need additional support should be attended 

 to in this respect. All faded flowers must 

 be removed ; in many cases, particularly 

 with Sweet Peas and Violas, this will 

 materially lengthen the blooming period. 

 Continue watering as rendered necessary 

 by the weather. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 

 Potting Freesias. These handsome and 

 fragrant flowering bulbs should be grown 

 by all who possess a small greenhouse, as 

 they are of extremely easy cultivation. If 

 flowers are desired at Christmas no time must 

 be lost in potting the bulbs. Prepare a light 

 but fairly rich compost, and place six or 

 seven bulbs in a 5-inch pot, putting them 

 an inch beneath the surface. Stand in a 

 shady position outside, and do not water 

 them unless the soil appears to be getting 

 very dry. It is quite unnecessary to plunge 

 them in ashes. 



Paper White Narcissi. A number of 

 these should also be potted for the earliest 

 display. Use pots of the same size as for 

 Freesias ; they will hold four or five bulbs 

 which may be placed close together. No 

 harm follows if the tops are above the soil. 

 Plunge the pots in ashes until the bulbs are 

 well rooted. 



Sowing Schizanthus. This, known 

 popularly as the Butterfly Flower, is ideal 

 for the possessor of a cool greenhouse, as a 

 handsome and graceful display results from 

 very little trouble. This is the best time 

 for sowing seed, and the resulting plants 

 will flower in spring. Sow thinly in pots 

 or pans filled with light soil, and place in a 



