246 THE FLORIST AND 



over it, in order to regulate the moisture, and to enable us to shade, is per- 

 fection. Moles and ground mice are apt to give trouble — means should be 

 taken to prevent their ingress. In cutting back the Pelargonium leave 

 three or four good eyes to every shoot, if it be desirable to form it into a 

 fine specimen next season. After they are cut down, set them in full sun, 

 and give little water till they begin to shoot. 



Chrysanthemums are much improved by waterings of guano water about; 

 once a week from this time till they begin to flower. 



This is the best time to propagate Cactaceous plants and succulents gen- 

 erally. Many prefer to graft the former — 'generally on the Cerei or (though 

 seldom seem in America) the Pereskia Bleo. In my opinion they form very 

 unnatural looking objects. The Epipyllum however, does not look so bad 

 on the Pereskia. I prefer all these things on their own roots. Cuttings 

 or offsets placed on a box of sand, or just beneath the surface, exposed to 

 the full sun, with very occasional waterings, strike root readily. 



Those who did not sow their Chinese Primroses in the spring, should 

 lose no time now, or their houses will be sadly behind their neighbors in in- 

 terest the forthcoming winter. All plants got on for winter flowering, 

 should also continue to have shifts as often as their pots become filled with 

 roots. 



Ancient calendar writers would have much more to say this month about 

 "attending to watering," "syringing," "destruction of insects," all of which 

 subjects I expect my readers perfectly understand. Jt is not our object to 

 mark out routine duties, so much as to record progressive facts. 



Vegetable Garden. 



Pon't earth up Celery till it has grown stout and sturdy. To aid this, 

 give copious waterings of soap suds or manure water, whenever opportunity 

 serves. Plant out JSndive fifteen inches apart in very rich loam. They also 

 are very grateful for occasional manure waterings. The greatest demand 

 by the family will be for the curled variety. Give Brocoli and Cabbage 

 strong soap suds too, you may "see them grow" after it. I believe you 

 sowed Ruta Bagas last month, and are now ready for the Flat Top Dutch, 

 or Bed strap leaved. The cooks prefer this kind. They are frequently 

 sown after a crop of early potatoes. It is rather opposed to a sound system 

 of rotation of crop ; but they generally do well this way, and it is therefore 

 followed. If the fly prove troublesome to you, see if soap water will prove 

 troublesome to them. 



Still make another sowing of Corn, Peas, and dwarf Beans. If they 

 come in before frost they will add much to the credit of the department. 

 Radishes and Lettuce will be sought after in the fall — look out a rich, cool, 

 piece of ground for the prospect. T. J. 



