Gardening for Amateurs 



615 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 early in September 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



VIOLETS. It is now time to plant 

 in frames the Violets intended for 

 winter and early spring blooming. 

 Very rich soil is not needed. Let the bed 

 of soil be so high that the plants are quite 

 close to the glass. Lift them with good 

 balls of soil and water thoroughly mme- 

 diately after planting. 



Border Chrysanthemums. It is a prac- 

 tice with many to Lift a number of late- 

 flowering border Chrysanthemums and pot 

 them for the decoration of the greenhouse, 

 and this should be done now. Lift carefully 

 after watering, and stand the plants in a 

 shady spot when they are potted. Use 

 good soil for potting and water with care 

 subsequently. 



Snapdragons. These are general favour- 

 ites, and although the usual practice is to 

 raise plants from seed sown in warmth early 

 in the year, or in the open during the summer, 

 yet when a number of plants are required 

 absolutely true to colour or shade the only 

 reliable method of obtaining them is by 

 means of cuttings. These may be dibbled 

 into boxes, or a bed of light, sandy soil in a 

 frame at the present time. 



Bulbs in Shrubberies. Shrubberies 

 could often be brightened considerably 

 during the spring months by the use of bulbs. 

 Narcissi in variety, Snowdrops, Crocuses, 

 etc., may all be used in open spaces between 

 evergreen shrubs. Planting may be done now. 



Spanish Irises. These Irises are most 

 valuable, whether for garden display or for 

 providing flowers for the house. The bulbs 

 are planted now in beds and borders. Plant 

 fairly thickly ; 4 to 6 inches between the 

 bulbs will be ample space. 



Sweet Peas. Autumn sowing of Sweet 

 Peas outdoors is often practised in favourable 

 soil and climate. The preparation of trenches 

 should be undertaken without dela} r , as 

 sowing usually takes place in October, and 

 it is essential that the soil has time to settle. 

 The chief aid to success is deep digging. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 



Winter-flowering Geraniums. These 

 have been grown during the summer in cold 

 frames, or even in the open on a bed of ashes, 

 but during this month nights are often cold 

 and damp, so that it is wise to transfer the 

 plants to the greenhouse. Arrange them 

 thinly ; overcrowding results in the leaves 

 yellowing, and lack of ventilation for a few 

 weeks has the same effect. Keep the 

 ventilators open night and day for a time, 

 gradually decreasing the air by night after 

 the first week. Give weak liquid manure 

 if the pots are well filled with roots. 



Potting Primulas. Chinese Primulas 

 should by now be ready for moving into 5- 

 inch pots, which are quite large enough for 

 them to flower in. For compost use loam 

 and leaf -soil with a little old manure, mixing 

 the ingredients thoroughly. Be careful to 

 see that the plants are potted deeply enough 

 to prevent their moving. Place the plants 

 in the greenhouse after potting, but ventilate 

 freely. 



Shading the Greenhouse. The sun has 

 now lost much of its power, and the shading 

 applied to the roof and sides of the green- 

 house or conservatory early in the summer 

 should be scrubbed off. After this date 

 most plants will need all the sunshine they 

 can obtain, but it is necessary to be careful 

 in exposing plants which have been shaded. 

 On very hot days, which sometimes are 

 experienced in September, a few newspapers 

 may be used to lessen the likelihood of 

 scorching. 



Heating Apparatus. With the advent 

 of autumn and cold nights the gardener's 

 thoughts naturally turn to the greenhouse 

 fire which has been out of use for many 

 months. Where continuous firing is likely, 

 once the stove is lit, it is a good plan to have 

 the whole of the heating apparatus overhauled 

 before starting. 



Chrysanthemums. Growth is rapid 

 during this month and as rough winds are 

 not unlikely see that the shoots are kept tied 



