September 13, 1864. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



217 



Whether potted or placed in boxes the plants should not 

 be kept in cellars, nor in any dark place, but in a light, airy 

 situation in the greenhouse, water being sparingly ap- 

 plied, and only when necessary, and all decayed leaves must 

 be removed as they present themselves. 



In March the plants should be potted, if planted in boxes 

 in the autumn, placed in a higher temperature, afforded 

 moisture, and in a week or ten days cut-in closely. If no suit- 

 able house be at command, they must be potted as above, 

 but not be cut-in so closely, as they will not push so freely. 

 Except in this the treatment of the Variegated and smaller 

 kinds of Scarlets does not differ much from that recom- 

 mended for Scarlets generally ; they require, however, rather 

 more heat, less pruning, and greater care as regards water- 

 ing, and hardening-off in the spring prior to planting out. 

 The greatest enemy of Geraniums in winter is damp, and a 

 close vitiated atmosphere. A high temperature is also in- 

 jurious, as it causes growth at a time when it cannot be 

 properly consolidated. Hence weak, lanky growths which 

 never become strong are the result. — G. Abbey. 



WOEK FOE THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Weeds this season may, with half the usual trouble, have 

 been quite eradicated. Potatoes and other crops are coming 

 off early, so that the process of manuring and trenching 

 may be prosecuted at every favourable opportunity. We 

 would never recommend, if it can possibly be avoided, to 

 dig the ground intended for general cropping simply one 

 spit deep. Even if the soil be shallow and the subsoil 

 ungenial we would remove the top and well break up the 

 bottom of the trenches ; these operations pay for a little 

 extra trouble, and now is the time to commence them. 

 Cabbages, let all the remaining summer sorts of a solid cha- 

 racter be cut over in order to obtain a good succession of 

 sprouts. See that the ground is in readiness for transplant- 

 ing the winter Cabbages. Remove all dead and decaying 

 leaves from the Brassica tribe in general to some ground 

 under the process of trenching, and keep the earth well 

 stirred about the plants. Carrots, sow Early Horn in a 

 sheltered place to stand the winter. Cauliflower, to be looked 

 over frequently, turning down a few leaves over the hearts, 

 for they are readily spoiled by frost. Celery, that which is 

 not earthed-up must have the soil stirred about it with a 

 fork, and frequent applications of liquid manure. Chilies, 

 these and Gherkins, Onions, and other vegetables used for 

 pickling, should be gathered for the purpose as they come 

 in. French Beans, provision should be made for protecting 

 them from frost, should this occur. Lettuce, let a lot of 

 Brown Dutch or Bath Cos be planted where they can be pro- 

 tected by frames for spring use. Tomatoes, train, stop, and 

 thin the laterals, but avoid stripping off too many leaves. The 

 cultivation of Watercress should not be omitted in the series 

 of salads. Bottles with their necks broken off and plunged 

 in the ground, saucers, and any other shallow vessels to 

 hold water will do to grow it in. A yard square will give 

 a useful supply ; and all the attention that will be required 

 will be to fill up any deficiencies of water caused by evapo- 

 ration. A damp shady border is not unsuitable ; but wher- 

 ever the advantage of a small stream is possessed preference 

 should be given to it. If the trimmings of the bunches are 

 thrown in throughout the season a regular supply of fresh 

 young cress may be obtained. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



As cold nights may soon be expected, scarce plants 

 which it may be desirable to secure before they are injured 

 should be taken up and potted at once, or carefully covered 

 where there is the least cause to suspect injury. See to 

 securing a good stock of cuttings of variegated Geraniums 

 before the plants are injured by frost ; for although these 

 root more freely in spring than at present, such varieties as 

 Golden Chain and Mountain of Light grow so slowly that 

 spring-struck cuttings make but very poor plants by turn- 

 ing-out time. Hollyhocks and Dahlias wUl now require 

 occasional looking after to secure them against the effects 

 of high winds, which may now be expected. Unless seed 

 is wanted, cut away decayed flowers and useless shoots. 

 Herbaceous plants will likewise require the stalks of decayed , 



flowers removed, and such as are still in bloom carefully 

 tied up. Asters, some Phloxes, &c, will now be making a 

 fine show, and should have corresponding care bestowed on 

 them. Let the borders be cleaned and neatly raked over, 

 filling vacant places with spare Chrysanthemums, spring- 

 struck Pansies, or spring-flowering bulbs. Though we ad- 

 vocate the autumnal planting of evergreen and deciduous 

 shrubs, we would not recommend their removal at an earlier, 

 period this month as long as the late very dry weather 

 continued ; but the happy change in the weather will now 

 enable those to proceed vigorpusly in their operations who 

 intend alterations or new arrangements in this department. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Look over wall trees, and cut off all foreright breastwood, 

 or what are called " after-shoots." Strawberry plants in 

 pots must not be allowed to get very dry, nor ought they to- 

 be drenched with too much water. General attention to 

 gathering all sorts of out-door fruits as lately directed. 



STOVE. 



A certain and gradual reduction of temperature corre- 

 sponding to the deficiency of external heat should be com- 

 menced, the plants will thus be prepared to withstand the 

 prolonged gloom of the winter season. All stove plants, 

 which have been removed to the conservatory or other 

 houses, should now be brought back to their permanent 

 stations without delay, both for their own sakes and for the 

 sake of the general arrangement in other structures. Give 

 most liberal ventilation, not forgetting, however, to accom- 

 pany it with much warmth ; for the hardening of growths is 

 not carried on by means of chilling draughts, but by high 

 temperature accompanied by a free perspiration from the 

 leaves of the plants. Much attention must be given to 

 watering under the above circumstances. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Unremitting attention must be given at this period to 

 the housing of tender plants until the whole stock is secured. 

 The Persian and other Cyclamens should be examined and 

 repotted where necessary. The Lachenalia family should 

 now be brought forth and repotted ; such on a greenhouse 

 shelf will flower in February. Camellias, Chinese Azaleas, 

 and some Acacias, will not be hurt for a week or two, if cir- 

 cumstances do not permit of their being housed immediately. 

 Greenhouse and stove plants of an herbaceous character, after 

 they have done blooming, should have some care in order to 

 ripen the roots properly before they are stored away for the 

 winter. To effect this with Achimenes, Gesneras, and Glox- 

 inias, they should be placed in a spare house or pit near the 

 glass, and only supplied with water to keep them from 

 nagging. Amaryllis and the different varieties of Japan 

 Lilies require the same treatment, the latter, however, being 

 more hardy may be ripened off at the base of a south wall 

 or cold pit. Admit air night and day to all descriptions of 

 greenhouse plants. In many species the growth is not yet 

 perfected. This may be assisted on sunny days by early 

 closing for a couple of hours in the afternoon ; but open the 

 house again at six for the cool night temperature. 



PITS AND FRAMES. 



These should now be furnished with bulbs of the most 

 approved varieties for forcing, Pinks invariety.Neapolitan and 

 Russian Violets, and sturdy young plants of Wallflowers in 

 variety. Mignonette to be t hinn ed, in due time, Intermediate- 

 Stocks pricked-out, one in a small pot, Cinerarias repotted, 

 and herbaceous Calceolarias parted and potted, and plunged 

 in cinder ashes in a cold frame near the glass. — W. Keane, 



DOINGS OF THE LAST "WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Though we have as yet no water for vegetables, the mild 

 showers have moistened the surface of the earth, and en- 

 abled us to prick out Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Lettuces, 

 Endive, &c, with but homoeopathic doses of moisture at the 

 roots. The air is now so moist that plants that have had a 

 fair start will not suffer much. Could we have planted out 

 lots of winter stuff by the middle of June, the plants would 

 not have suffered from the drought ; but our limited space 

 was then as thickly cropped as could be. The slight showers 

 and what little sewage we cculd give, is now taking the 



