840 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 late in November 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



PLANTING. In most gardens there 

 is a good deal of planting and trans- 

 planting to be carried out annually, 

 owing to the formation of new features 

 or the rearranging of older ones. It is 

 not always possible to complete the work 

 in autumn, but full advantage should 

 be taken of mild weather. Roses especially 

 are better for being planted in the present 

 month. Evergreens may be left until April 

 or May, but deciduous shrubs and trees 

 and all herbaceous perennials may be at- 

 tended to immediately. 



Lawns. In the event of a mild autumn 

 grass will continue to grow, and the mowing 

 machine must be used on a dry day when the 

 surface of the lawn is tolerably firm. With 

 leaves falling regular sweeping is necessary, 

 and, incidentally, this will be very beneficial 

 to the grass. Rolling should be a weekly 

 task from now onward. 



Christmas Roses. These are spoilt if 

 mud and grit splash over them, but a layer 

 of littery manure prevents this, and assists 

 the plants at the same time. If the plants 

 can be covered with handlights the develop- 

 ment of the blossoms is helped. 



Violets. All decayed leaves and runners 

 must be removed, and the soil between the 

 rows stirred occasionally. Violets are quite 

 hardy, and it is chiefly for the protection 

 afforded the buds and blossoms that they 

 are grown in frames during winter, there- 

 fore free ventilation should be given in all 

 but frosty weather. On wet or foggy days 

 the lights may be tilted, while on fine sunny 

 days they should be removed altogether. 



Paths. Gravel and other paths and 

 walks often become overgrown with weeds 

 and moss at this season. They ought to be 

 cleaned now, for moss will spread rapidly 

 during winter, and weeds quickly run to 

 seed during mild periods. Hoeing or hand- 

 weeding will account for the weeds, and a 

 stump besom remove the moss ; afterwards 

 the paths should be rolled. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 



Bulbs. It is necessary to examine the 

 pots of bulbs plunged in ashes from time to 

 time, so that they may be removed before 

 much growth is made. Keep them away 

 from bright light for a time, allowing the 

 growth to become green by slow degrees. 

 After a few days in a cold frame. Roman 

 Hyacinths and Paper White Narcissi may be 

 gradually introduced into warmth so as to 

 have them in flower by Christmas. 



Freesias. These grow very rapidly when 

 brought into the greenhouse, and the support 

 of thin sticks and raffia becomes necessary. 

 A light shelf near the glass is a suitable 

 position for these plants, and when buds 

 are observable weak liquid manure may be 

 given with considerable benefit. 



Primulas. Plants required to bloom by 

 Christmas should be encouraged with manure 

 water and soot water alternately, provided 

 the pots are well filled with roots. Do not 

 attempt to force the plants by placing them 

 in warmth ; they never succeed when 

 treated thus. Primula obconica grandiflora, 

 P. kewensis and P. malacoides will flower 

 throughout the winter if the faded flowers 

 are removed regularly. 



Watering. At this season watering must 

 be carried out with especial care. The best 

 time for watering is in the forenoon, and 

 no plant should be watered until the soil 

 looks fairly dry. Avoid spilling water about, 

 especially where little heat is maintained. 



Ventilation. This, too, needs careful 

 attention. On bright days, which will 

 probably be few, air can be admitted freely, 

 provided it is not cold ; even in the latter 

 case a little should be given. During wet 

 and foggy weather keep the ventilators 

 closed, while on mild but dull days give a 

 little ventilation and keep the pipes warm. 



Arum Lilies. These will not bloom at 

 Christmas in an ordinary greenhouse, but 

 where a minimum temperature of 60 can 

 be maintained they will do so. They need 

 a lot of water. 





