14 



CALENDAR FOE THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



were put in last month will be ready for potting. 

 When doing this choose a light, rich soil ; do not 

 over-pot, and use plenty of drainage material. 

 Afterwards stand the plants in a cold frame or 

 on the greenhouse shelf. Fuchsias may also be 

 rooted now to give a supply of young plants for 

 early display. Bochea falcata will now be in 

 flower. When the flowers are over take off all 

 young growths for cuttings, and insert them in 

 a light, sandy soil; then put them on a dry 

 shelf till rooted. Cactuses will have completed 

 their growth, and therefore will need less mois- 

 ture. These plants thrive with abundance of 

 air and a dry atmosphere. There will still be a 

 sufficiency of plants in flower for decorating the 

 conservatory, as, for example, Lilium lancifolium, 

 Hyacinthus candicans, Gladioli, Hydrangeas, Bal- 

 sams, and many other plants of like character 

 raised from seed ; as these finish flowering fresh 

 specimens should be introduced to keep up a gay 

 appearance. As the nights get longer there will 

 be more moisture in the atmosphere, therefore it 

 will be necessary to guard against the damping 

 off of flowers. To avoid this ventilate freely on 

 all favourable occasions, and do not water in the 

 evening in damp weather. Much mischief is 

 often done among flowers by keeping the air too 

 humid. A cool, dry, airy place, shaded from the 

 sun, is most suitable for nearly all occupants of 

 the Conservatory while in bloom. 



Pits and Frames. 



These structures will now be in great demand 

 for the propagation of plants for bedding pur- 

 poses. If Pelargonium cuttings are put in early 

 there is not so much risk of their damping off 

 in winter as when they are left till next month 

 before the cuttings are taken. The young plants 

 become well rooted, and consequently can absorb 

 more moisture. Frames will also be required 

 towards the end of the month for the protec- 

 tion of the more tender plants and bulbs, 

 such as Freesias, Belladonna Lilies, Nerines, 

 Tuberoses, and Vallota. As all these plants, 

 excepting the first-named, flower in the autumn 

 and winter, it will be requisite to cover them 

 with lights in wet weather. Early Roman Hya- 

 cinths, Polyanthus Narcissus, and the earliest 

 kind of Tulips should be potted and covered 

 with ashes. If they can be plunged in a frame 

 it will be so much the better, as they can then 

 be had in bloom very early without forcing. 

 Viola and other cuttings of herbaceous plants 

 should be inserted so that roots may be formed 

 before winter. Attend to previous remarks 



about Hydrangeas, Marguerites, Primulas and 

 Cinerarias, Calceolarias, &c. 



Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 



Outdoor work during this month is very 

 heavy, so many plants requiring attention. Layer 

 border Carnations at the beginning of the month. 

 Transplant all seedlings of herbaceous plants 

 that were sown last month. Cuttings of Pent- 

 stemons, Antirrhinums, and some of the Phloxes 

 may also be taken. About the middle of the 

 month sow annuals for spring bedding, such as 

 Saponaria calabrica, Limnanthes Douglasi, Virgin- 

 ian Stocks, Lasthenia calif omica, Nemophila in- 

 sig?iis, Alyssum saxatlle, Silene pendula, Myosotis, 

 &c. Cuttings of choice alpines should now be 

 inserted, as they will then make strong plants 

 by next spring. 



Violets for flowering in frames during winter 

 should have liberal waterings with liquid manure 

 to induce them to make plump crowns. Gather 

 lavender and everlasting flowers where they 

 are required for indoor use. Pay attention to 

 staking and tying all herbaceous and other tall- 

 growing plants. Lawns will now need constant 

 attention, for the grass will grow apace; walks 

 must be edged, and the weeds kept down. 

 Flower-beds should have all the dead flowers 

 removed. There is far more pleasure to be de- 

 rived from a small place well kept than from 

 a large one in a neglected state. Look to drains, 

 and see that they are clear, or heavy thunder- 

 storms may do considerable damage if the water 

 is unable to get away. Shorten the shoots of 

 Laurels, Hollies, and other evergreen shrubs 

 that have grown too large for their position. 

 Hoe and rake borders to keep weeds in abey- 

 ance. 



SEPTEMBEE. 



Plant-houses. 



Orchid Houses. — Many of the Dendro- 

 biums will now have reached maturity, therefore 

 they will not need so much water, but will want 

 more air in proportion to ripen their bulbs. If 

 plants of D. nobile, D. crassinode, D. Wardianum, 

 D. heterocarpum, and D. Pierardi be removed 

 to a cooler house when growth is thoroughly 

 ripened, they will flower much more profusely 

 than if left in the house where others are still 

 in active growth. D. chrysanthum will now be 

 in flower. As soon as the flowering period is 

 past, repotting or surface -dressing should be 



